Battle Town Band
Probably taken in the early 1930's
Can anyone identify any of the other players in the Band ?
The following text has been taken from the British Newspaper Archive
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Hastings and St Leonards Observer Sarturday March 22 1930
CONCERT.
The Drill Hall was crowded on Wednesday evening on the occasion of a concert in aid of the funds of the Battle Town Band. The Town Band contributed some enjoyable selections. and too talented local companies also made an Appearance. The Amusements Society were heartily applauded for " A Revue of Old Time Songs." and the " Blue Birds" repeated their succesful number, " An Eastern Scena." A male voice choir also made its first and what is hoped will not be its last appearances in the town. Mrs. Capell-Reade recited with great dramatic skill. her rendering of " The Telegram " being particularly good. Mrs Millicent Raper, Miss Edith Batley and Mr. R Sellena were heard to advantage in songs and Mr. Jack Errey's monologue. were a very popular feature. At the conclusion hearty cheers were accorded Mr. Sheehan-Dare and the Battle Band. The former thanked the artistes and all those who had supoprted the concert, and added word of thanks to Mr. Jack Errrey for is work in connection with the arrangements. Appealing for support for the band. Mr. Sheehan-Dare said how indepded they were to four men who kept the flag flying during the war, the brothers Parks one of whom was the present bandmaster. Mr. Walter White. and Mr. Santer. They were also indebted to Mr. J.P. Slagg for the gift of a valuable horn. Mr. Heriot. of Crowhurst, had made it possible for them to purchase nine instruments from the Crowhurst Band. which had now, unfortunatley ceased to exist. The Battle Band was a credit to the Town and worthy of all the support it could get. The evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.
My dad remembered the following:
The photograph was taken by Mr.Tom Douch, a family friend, in whose tiny Darkroom, together with my father, I spent many hours learning about developing and printing, and watching Magic Lantern shows. There was no electricity in those days, the lighting was either by gas or parafin lamps, or in some cases a mere candle. Many of my father's photographs were printed in the old scullery out-house at Abbey Lodge, by candle-light.
BATTLE TOWN BAND
Sir,-- May we be allowed to trespass again on your valuable space with a few remarks as to our present position and hopes for the New Year.
We are grratified with the many expressions of appreciation we have recieved this Christmastide from all quarters. Our members played out every night, with the exception of Sundays for the ten days preceding Christmas, and again on the Market Green on Christmas and Boxing Day mornings. The response by the tradespeople and public seas, with a few exceptions, considerably better than in the past, and our members felt fairly compensated for their lost time and efforts. We incidentally collected sufficient to pay the rent of our bandroom, reimburse ourselves for the purchase of a light necessary for playing out, and discharge an outstanding account for music. As to the future. Our immediate and urgent necessity was a new bass instrument, the present one being acquired over forty years ago and now entirely worn out. We have ordered an instrument and are now faced with the task of paying off the instalments for its purchase -a total of about £10.
We are arranging to play in the town on several Saturday evenings during the next few weeks and trust that the generosity of our tradespeople and public will soon enable us to collect this amount.
Though the replacement of this instrument is by no means the sum total of our reasonable needs, it is something to go on with, and, combined with a previous generous gift of a cornet, will do much to encourage us to further efforts. So soon as we can acquire a few additional instruments we shall be in a position to welcome recruits tom play them and so raise our hand to the standard that should be expected of a town such as Battle.
It suggested that a fund shoud he raised for the purchase of uniform, which of course, we agree is desirable, and this may come a little later. Meanwhile. it is players that count. and we look forward with more confidence to the New Year
its possible engagements in the town and district.
Battle Town Band practised at "The Kings Head" in Mount Street for many years. Wally can be identified by his Trombone, (it looks like a large paper-clip) and no doubt some of you will be able name other members of this very, very memorable group of musicians.
Sussex Express Friday, November 23 1928
Battle Town Band
To the editor of the "Sussex Express"
SIR,- May I beg some of your valuable space for a few remarks regarding the report of a meeting of the Battle Chamber of Commerce in your last issue under the sub-heading, Non Marchers.
The report states bluntly that our bandsman cannot march and is followed by no sort of explanation or comment on this point. In view of your wide circulation among reader outside Battle, to whom our bandsmen are not known personally, we think it only fair that such a bald statement should be followed by a word of reason.
Two of our members, Messrs F.Parks and R.Sellas, in the days not so long ago, though now too often overlooked, marched to sterner accompaniments than brass bands or fireworks and have each returned from Flanders with an artificial leg. Marching to them is therefore an accomplishment never to be repeated, and in our other mebmers (not too numerous at present) are, quite naturally, reluctant to accept engagements in which these two gentlemen cannot participate. This fact was made very clear to the Bonfire Boys Committee when thay asked us to tender for the recent celebrations. To our minds it is therefore, the more surprising, not to say in bad taste, to find one of their number making such unqualified remarks.
But as is well known to the older residents of Battle and the surrounding villages in a wide radius, our older bandsmen have shown their ability to march long distances "with the next" in the more palmy days.
While on this "non-marching" subject it is perhaps relevant to refer to the deplorable attendance of our Town Councillors at the recent Armistice Day parade, when only Councillor Mepham attended to exhibit marching proclivities. Can it have been a whim of Nemesis to have smitten the rest with corns, as was the reason propounded by one of their number upon our bandsmen declining to head the "Bonfire Night" procession.
The report also stated "the Chairman pointed out that the further they went into the villages the better were the local bands." The explanation is not far to seek. Our rural friends receive generous and enthusiastic local support, enabling them to get both instruments and uniform.
Further comment on this score in unnecessary, and we leave our worthey tradesmmen to judge this matter of support for themselves
Yours truly
Walter W. White
Hon Secretary.
Battle Town Band
