History
The rural south Somerset village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon has a banding tradition going back to June 1888, when Stoke Military Band played its first engagement on Ham Hill. The press cutting of the event said “ The time and expression were carefully marked”.
The rural south Somerset village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon has a banding tradition going back to June 1888, when Stoke Military Band played its first engagement on Ham Hill. The press cutting of the event said “ The time and expression were carefully marked”.
The band continued until the middle of 1920’s when economic conditions of the time prevailed.
The present band was reformed in 1945 after an adhoc band toured the village during VE and VJ celebrations. In the fifties a traditional brass band formation was adopted, with all woodwind instruments being phased out.
The history of the band may best be characterised as being colourful and chequered; certainly never dull!
In 1995 the band celebrated its 50th anniversary by qualifying for the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, yet with in a few years the band had moved away from the contest arena to concentrate on bringing an entertaining programme of light, popular music to the general public.
In October 2006 the band undertook its first overseas trip to Igny near Paris with Crewkerne Twinning Association, which included playing in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. If you would like to read more about our amazing trip, please click here.
The band relies entirely on public donation through a schedule of engagements throughout the summer at local fetes, street fayres and bandstand concerts. December is always a busy time with the Christmas Concert and carolling.
A book chronicling the history of the band has been produced in an amusing and witty style by one of its founder members, Alan Richards. Alan died in 2008 following a stroke and attended band practice right up to the night before he was taken ill.
2014 saw some players retire, leaving the band with a core of a dozen players. Fortunately since then new members have joined the band but like most bands we are still looking for more players.
In 2022 the former United Reformed Church, where the band practiced for over forty years, closed. The band now practices at Castle School and in March 2024 we were able to restart the training section.
In September 2025, the band celebrated its 80th anniversary with a concert at the Prince of Wales on Ham Hill. We followed this with a party for all our members and their families. At the celebration, we had a few photo displays showing our history through the ages.
In September 2025, the band celebrated its 80th anniversary with a concert at the Prince of Wales on Ham Hill. We followed this with a party for all our members and their families. At the celebration, we had a few photo displays showing our history through the ages.
Norton sub Hamdon Flower Show 1955
Paignton Contest 1972
Concert at URC 1991
Outside Senate building Paris, 2006