BAND HISTORY

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The origins of the Ellesmere Port Silver Band can be traced back to 1870, with the arrival of Mr Breckon to the community of Ellesmere Port to take up the position of a teacher at the school known as the "Prims" or "Breckon's School". The Drum and Fife Band that Mr Breckon formed was the foundation for the Public Prize Band, or Chapel Band as it was known. From the Public Prize Band (Chapel Band), the Church Silver Band was formed as a breakaway movement in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Evidence shows that during the years 1875 - 1900, the community of Ellesmere Port supported these two Brass Bands, and that by the year 1900 both the Public Prize Band (Chapel Band) and the Church Silver Band, were thriving organisations.

Both bands sustained a state of friendly rivalry throughout the period from 1900 - 1920, and although little must have taken place during the Great War of 1914 - 1918 as men of the community were called to go to war, the bands were successfully reformed in 1919 from those that returned from the devastation of those four years. During the year of 1913, the Salvation Army Band was formed, from which players in later decades would become members of either the Public Prize Band (Chapel Band) or the Church Silver Band.

Both bands continued to go from strength to strength during the years 1920 -1940 and both bands were competing at the highest level of the Brass Band movement. During these years, the Church Silver Band became known as the British Legion Band. During the Second World War 1939 - 1945, the bands were disbanded as the men went to war. In 1946 efforts were made to re-form the Band from the remaining players of the two bands and combined to become the Ellesmere Port and District Band (known today as the Ellesmere Port Silver Band). The band continued with steady progress throughout the 1950's and in the 1960's enjoyed the greatest triumph when the band went to London to compete in the National Brass Band Championships for two successive years. During the latter part of the 1960's however, many of the players moved on and by 1975 an appeal was made for new members. The band helped to introduce brass tuition into local secondary schools, and that interest in youth is maintained to this day with many of today's players being in attendance at local schools or the product of tuition provided in the local schools.

Throughout the 1980's, the band undertook more work than at any time of the band's history, playing at 55 engagements in 1985, featuring on BBC Radio Merseyside, as well as taking part in contest work. The band appointed a professional music advisor from the Black Dyke Mills Band to offer guidance with further contest work alongside the resident musical director who was a peripatetic brass tutor employed by Cheshire Education Authority.

2010 - Now called the Ellesmere Port Silver Band, under its Kneller Hall trained bandmaster, the band rehearses weekly at the Village Hall in Capenhurst, and welcomes new brass players of any age and ability. Although no longer participating in contests, the band plays at various public events throughout the year. With support, and the dedication of band members, the band will continue it's existence ensuring members of future generations will be able to look back upon a second century of the Brass Band movement in Ellesmere Port.

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