It is thought that the Clifton and Lightcliffe Band was formed in 1838 when most of the inhabitants of the villages around were employed in either agriculture or coal mining, the formation of the band was a way to escape from the hard work and poor conditions at that time.

 

In the early 1900’s the band competed and won a few major prizes at the famous Crystal Palacein London, where the National Brass Band Championships were held each year.  More recently the band qualified for the National Championships in 2006, 2007 and again in 2010. In January 2011 the band was promoted to the 2 Section and achieved a very respectable 6place at the Area contest in March 2011.

The band has also toured abroad. 2001 saw them performing in France and Switzerland. 2004 the band was invited to Guernsey to perform a major fund-raising concert for Oxfam and in 2006 the band took part in an 8 day concert tour of Zell am See in Austria where performances included the famous Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg where the Sound of Music was filmed.

 

In July 2008 the band toured Lake Garda performing concerts around the area.

 

Our trip to California in 2010 was one of the largest undertakings we have done and with a fantastic team working to make this happen the 64 travellers had a wonderful time perform and sightseeing around the Los Angeles area with our American friends Linda and Norm Taylor of the Golden State British Brass Band and the Pomona Wind Band.

 

 

The band has also produced its first commercial CD with a very generous donation from the National Lottery Commission, included on the CD was a composition written especially by Darrol Barry for the band entitled The Rise of the Phoenix.

 

As well as the senior band the association also has a ‘B’ band made up of 40 younger and more inexperienced players who when the opportunity arises pass through to the senior band.  Coming up behind the ‘B’ band is a Learners group which is made up of 15 budding musicians with ages starting at 8 years old.

 

All the band members are amateur musicians with ages ranging from 14 years up to 65 years of age and all give their time freely to come and make music.

 

We perform around 60 concerts each year in and around the local area helping to support other groups such as local churches, school and hospitals with fund raising activities.

 

The Association has no commercial financial backing and all the funds are raised with the hard work and dedication of its members.

 

Jane Clay

Secretary