History
An Early History of Hepworth Band
“The village of Hepworth, from which the band takes its name, is situated about two miles from Holmfirth. About 20 years ago a few men joined together and formed a small brass band, each man purchasing his own instrument. This was the foundation of the present band.”
—Extract from the publication The Cornet, 15 March 1902.
Hepworth, the village from which the band takes its name, is situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park, close to the “Summer Wine” town of Holmfirth in West Yorkshire.
There has long been a strong tradition of Brass Bands and music making in the Holme Valley, and Hepworth Band has been a part of this since its formation in 1882.
The first recorded conductors of the band were, in order, William H. Schofield, James Haigh, Hinchliffe Battye and George Wadsworth, but there is no record of how long each one stayed with the band. However, it is known that in 1898 Mr. John Belcher was appointed to the post and under his leadership Hepworth began to make a name for themselves in the Brass Band Contest field. In 1900 the band engaged Angus Holden as professional conductor and in 1901 won first prizes in both the Holmfirth March Contest and the Yeadon Waltz Contest.
The first decade of the twentieth century was an important era in the progress of the band. In 1902 they purchased a “full set of first class silver plated instruments” at a cost of £120 and in the same year Hepworth held the best record of all the Yorkshire bands for contest successes. Another significant investment was the purchase of a new uniform supplied by Huddersfield firm Hodgson & Co, “tunic, cap, trousers and ornaments complete”.
During the 1914-18 war the Band was led by Mr. W. Coldwell who was succeeded by Allen Kaye, who struggled to keep the band going with only eight or nine players. After the war Hepworth again appointed professional conductors, one of whom was Willie Mallinson who, at a local contest (to quote Lawrence Schofield, a former player and Chairman) “flung away his baton in disgust and stalked off the platform"—but in true Hepworth style the band carried on, and back came the conductor before the end of the piece— “We wer’ alreight wi art thee” said one member of the band—“I thowt tha’ wer mendin’ a bit” was the reply, and the band ended up among the winners.
Allen Kaye was succeeded as conductor by Ernest and Willie Noble, W Beardsell and eventually by his son, Willie Kaye, who was with Hepworth Band from 1929, through the Second World War, becoming the longest serving conductor of the band.
In 1948, after 19 years as conductor of the band, Willie Kaye handed over the baton, for a short period, to Aner Beardsell, who was then succeeded by Willie’s younger brother George Kaye.
The fifties and early sixties was an extremely successful period for the band in the contest field, winning the prestigious Senior Cup at Belle Vue, Manchester in 1959 and gaining first prizes at Holmfirth Contest in 1951, 1960, 1961 and 1963, all under the leadership of George Kaye.
In May 1972 Hepworth Band again won the Senior Cup at Belle Vue and at the 50th. Holmfirth Contest in 1976 the band was awarded first prize. This performance was the last under the baton of George Kaye and it seemed fitting to win, thus bringing to an end a very successful partnership.
After short spells with Gordon Pulleyn and Roy Roe another successful era began with the appointment in 1978 of Peter Wadsworth as Musical Director. Many contest successes were recorded, in particular first prize at Belle Vue in the Senior Cup in 1979. At this time the band released its first LP record “Marching with Hepworth”.
In 1982 the Band celebrated its Centenary with many events being organised throughout the year. Another record was released - “A Century of Brass” featuring many of the band’s soloists.
The main event was a Celebrity Concert in Huddersfield Town Hall, with special guests Roy Castle, internationally renowned singers Marietta and Vernon Midgley and virtuoso pianist Keith Swallow. A capacity audience made the concert a resounding success and a very memorable evening was has by all.