I was recently sent the above shown plaque showing “Presentation to F Bancroft by the Denholme Brass Band in appreciation of his 45 years services January 30th 1928” and after some research I think this was a Fred Bancroft born circa 1866, the son of Thomas and Mary, who although born in Ovenden near Halifax spent all his adult live as a weaver in Denholme.
Fred, like most of the village and his parents probably worked in Foster's Mill as a weaver which was also his father's occupation.
He married Mary Lodge at St Paul's, Denholme on 17th December 1898 and both were described as 'weavers' so its quite probable that they met whilst both working at Foster's Mill.
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| Fred & Mary's marriage |
The 1901 census shows them both living at a house on New St without children. Both were still listed as weavers and interestingly Mary is shown as coming from Westminster area of London.
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| 1911 census |
Fred died on 21/12/1948 and was buried at the nearby Denholme Clough graveyard.
Now a bit about the Denholme Brass Band, which largely revolved around Foster's Mill where most of them probably worked.
With the reduction of working hours in the mid to late 1800’s people had more leisure time. Methodist and Baptist Chapels encouraged men to join the local chapel band and from there local village and town brass band emerged. Within our area there were 5 brass bands, Denholme being one of them.
'The first record found of Denholme Brass Band is 1864 when they played at a Grand Gala which was held in a field belonging to Messrs. Foster adjoining White-Shaw, Denholme. The proceeds of this Gala amounted to £5.9s.2d and were applied for the benefit of the causeway then being constructed through Denholme. In July 1867 the Band performed at the ‘Band of Hope Gala’ in Peel Park. On the 15th May 1873 the Denholme and Halifax, and Thornton and Keighley Railways Bill was passed in the House of Commons. This information was received by telegraph by Messrs W & H Foster’s works a little before stopping of work for the day. The clock bells in the tower of the new warehouse were kept ringing for an hour, and later in the evening the Denholme Brass Band paraded the streets. The band played at the laying of the foundation stone for the Mechanics Institute in 1880.
Denholme Brass Band was actively involved in local competitions between 1891 and 1932. They entered 25, the highest ranking they achieved was 2nd place, at the Haworth concert in August 1898 playing ‘Fairest of the Fair’, and again at Haworth in August 1899 playing ‘Rose Queen’. In 1911 the band travelled to the Crystal Palace to play in a preliminary cup competition. They came 3rd in the competition playing ‘Harvest Home’. During this period the band had numerous conductors: Mr Holmes 1891, Mr William Heap 1894-95 and 1911-1912, Mr Tom Dean1889-1903 and Mr Green 1929-1931.
The band had always wanted a dedicated band room for rehearsal and the following article appeared in the Halifax Courier on the 19th October 1889.
'Opening of a New Band Room. —The opening ceremony in connection with the new band room which has been built in Pit Lane for the of the Denholme Subscription Brass Band took place last Saturday afternoon. Previous to the opening, the band played through the village to the new building. The Rev. A. Brown, vicar of St. Paul’ s, Denholme, presided, and in doing so, took the opportunity to give few statistics as to the cost of the building, etc., which was about £124. Towards this sum about £100.00 has been raised, £55.00 has been raised by public subscription, £46 by the members of the band, which they have subscribed, the remainder being raised by entertainments, etc. In addition to the sum contributed by the band, the cost had considerably reduced by hard work, which the members had wrought digging, painting, and other assistance. In calling up Mr. Eli Foster, of Waterloo House, to present the key to Mr. Jonathan Knowles, junior, of Bingley, who went through the formal opening, the chairman congratulated the members of the band in securing the presence Mr. Foster representative of the employers of labour in the neighbourhood. In presenting the key (which is a silver one, of artistic design;) Mr. Foster said that it was a very pleasant duty which devolved upon him. He considered they had acted wisely in asking Mr. Knowles to open their new band room, being the son of native of Denholme, who always took interest in the Denholme Brass Band. He was glad hear of the success which had attended the efforts of the band in building a room which they could call their own.'
The band ceased to be active in 1932.
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| Band - circa 1900 |
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