The following studies by Terry Spencer are now available on the Knottingley website:

KNOTTINGLEY CARNIVAL
By the last quarter of the nineteenth century the August Bank Holiday period at Knottingley abounded in fun and frolic with the Feast as the hub of the festivities. The fair was supplemented by community sports and of the sporting element within the town none was more prominent than Knottingley Town Cricket Club.

KNOTTLA FLATTS:
Situated on the southern bank of the River Aire, to the north side of Aire Street, lies Knottingley Flatts. Today, the Flatts occupy only a small portion of the original layout which comprised the greater part of Knottingley Ings.

KNOTTLA FEAST:
The modern image of the fair is one of outdoor entertainment for pleasure seeking people but such a concept is one which has developed over the last two centuries being born as a result of the Industrial Revolution.

HOSPITAL SUNDAYS:
Prior to the establishment of the National Health Service in 1948 local people relied for health care in the event of sickness or serious injury upon charitable institutions such as Pontefract Dispensary and Leeds Infirmary.

KNOTTINGLEY COAT-OF-ARMS:
The application by Knottingley Urban District Council for a grant of arms was made to the College of Arms, London, in mid 1942.

FERRYBRIDGE GLASSWORKS:
That there was a glassworks at Ferrybridge is indisputable for it was both documented and photographed. That it was situated on the north bank of the River Aire "..where the Parish of Brotherton merges into the Parish of Ferrybridge" is confirmed by map reference. The doubt lies not in the existence or location of the furnace but with its origin.

NINETEENTH CENTURY KNOTTINGLEY:
The township of Knottingley, situated three miles north-east of Pontefract in the Wapentake of Osgoldcross, developed from a 6th century Saxon settlement in a forest clearing on the south bank of the river Aire. By the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066 the settlement had acquired the status of a manorial vill

KNOTTINGLEY PLAYING FIELDS:
As the process of industrialisation and urban development gained pace in the second half of the nineteenth century the provision of public spaces such as municipal gardens and parks for the purpose of public recreation and amenity became increasingly desirable.

CAPTAIN PERCY BENTLEY:
Percy Bentley, scion of a prominent Knottingley family, was born in that town on the 18th January 1891, the son of James William and Helena Bentley, and was baptised in the parish church of St. Botolph on the 11th February.

KNOTTINGLEY WAR MEMORIAL:
On Wednesday, 25th September 1918, a committee previously sanctioned by Knottingley Urban District Council in meeting assembled, met in the Council Chamber at Knottingley Town Hall to consider the form of memorial to the men who had fallen during the Great War.

FERRYBRIDGE WAR MEMORIAL:
No less than the citizens of its larger neighbour, the inhabitants of the village of Ferrybridge decided to honour those drawn from the community and slain in the Great War.

THE 'K' SISTERS:
For approximately a decade from the mid 1940's the 'K' Sisters, Marjorie and Pamela Kellett, were prominent throughout the town and district of Knottingley as all-round entertainers who harnessed their talent to providing public enjoyment and in so doing raised large amounts of money for local charities.

THE PALACE CINEMA:
The new cinema, one of the earliest purpose-built picture houses in the country, was situated on an oblique strip of land some 560 square yards in extent, adjacent to Ship Lane at the junction with lower Aire Street. The hall was designed to seat 600 people: 500 in the area and 100 in the balcony.

KNOTTINGLEY PUBLIC HOUSES & BREWERIES:
In 1752, eighteen residents of the township of Knottingley in company with John Mitchell, the Parish Constable, agreed to be bound over in the sum of £10 each to observe the legal and moral obligations attendant upon being granted a licence as an innkeeper.

KNOTTINGLEY TOWN HALL CLOCK:
In the Spring of 1994, the recently deceased and much lamented Edwin Beckett arranged for the installation of a clock at the top of the Town Hall turret. The event was celebrated in verse by Mrs Joyce Bell who concluded her eulogy by stating that her mother, Dolly Lightowler, had always wished to see a clock set in the "bare face" of the Town Hall - a wish which had now come true.

STATUE OF THE BLACK PRINCE:
Awareness of a link between my native Knottingley and the Prince's statue came quite recently when Mrs Shirley Bedford of Knottingley informed me that her great grandfather was the master of a barge which had transported the statue from Hull to Leeds in 1903.

KNOTTLA NICKNAMES:
It was in the course of a recent conversation with Roger Ellis that the subject of nicknames arose, following which, in an idle half-hour, I casually began to compile a list of those I recalled. My list quickly exceeded fifty in number and I was seized by a natural desire to list as many more as I could obtain.

KNOTTINGLEY SILVER BAND:
The origin of Knottingley Band is obscure. In 1980 the Band celebrated its conjectured centenary year, the date being taken from an old letterhead of 1880.  However, a subsequent documentary source has been located which indicates that the genesis of the Band may lie much further in the past.

KNOTTINGLEY TOWN HALL:
The burgeoning spirit of civic pride found practical expression on 29th October 1864, when a group of prominent citizens of the town formed the Knottingley Town Hall & Mechanics’ Institute Company Limited.

FIELD SYSTEMS AND PLACE NAMES OF OLD KNOTTINGLEY:
The purpose of this study is to consider the topography of modern day Knottingley and formulate a theoretical model concerning the development of the settlement during the medieval and post medieval eras as reflected in the field systems adopted.

GAZETTEER OF KNOTTINGLEY PLACE NAMES:
An A-Z listing of Knottingley field and place names.

WAR SAVINGS WEEKS:
Conflict is fuelled by finance so it is unsurprising that following the outbreak of war in 1939, local savings committees were established to encourage people to curb personal expenditure and invest surplus cash in the National War Savings Scheme in order to assist the cost of the war.

SELECT VESTRY RIOTS 1874:
The township of Knottingley became a semi-autonomous parish in 1789 following the ecclesiastical reorganisation of that period but remaining under the patronage of the Vicar of Pontefract until it became an independent parish in 1846

UBIQUITOUS AMBASSADORS

KNOTTINGLEY SILVER BAND

by TERRY SPENCER B.A. (Hons), Ph D.

CHAPTER TWO

CONTENTS | PAGE ONE | PAGE TWO | PAGE THREE | PAGE FOUR |

THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY: 1901 - 1920

PAGE THREE

Commensurate with the part-time engagement of J.W. Stamp is an increase in the Band’s appearance at various contests. In 1905 the Band appeared in the contest at South Kirkby on the 8th July and at Selby a fortnight later. The following month Woodkirk provided the venue when the Band was placed third out of nine competing bands. (62) In September, the Band made an appearance at a contest at Cudworth. (63) While these contests were local and minor ones they provided valuable experience for the Band and provided a springboard for eventual participation in national contests only a few years later.

There are indications of a contest being planned at Knottingley in Spring, 1905, but for unspecified reasons the plan did not come to fruition for a further twelve months. In April 1906, however, a contest was promoted by Mr. Hawley Harris, the proprietor of the Railway Hotel, Hill Top, Knottingley. The contest took place in a field adjacent to the inn where a total of 13 bands competed for prizes to the value of £16-0-0 in front of a large number of spectators. Bands taking part included the Silver Prize Band, Brotherton, Whitwood Colliery and the soon the be nationally known, Brighouse & Rastrick Band. The winning band in the test section was Gawthorpe Victoria which won £8 and a certificate. Scape Goat Hill came second, receiving £4 prize money, and Birdsall Old Band was third, winning £2, while the fourth place and a prize of £1 was won by Carlton Band. In a separate march section, Scape Goat Hill was awarded first place by the contest adjudicator, Mr. B.D. Jackson, and Birdsall Old Band was the runner-up, gaining a further 10 shillings prize money. (64)

It is interesting to note the frequency with which local contests were held and the degree of support by both bands and public such contests engendered. In addition to venues mentioned above, contests were recorded at Altofts, Batley and Hemsworth in the early years of the twentieth century. At a contest held at Altofts in 1903, Castleford Subscription Band under the baton of J.W. Stamp, came second in the test section and took first prize in the march, providing an insight as to why the Silver Prize Band sought to obtain Stamp’s services as their guest conductor. (65) The experience and skill of the bandmaster was crucial to a band’s performance as shown at a contest held at Featherstone in which the adjudicator ascribed the poor result by one band to the failure of the conductor to let them “warm up” before the performance. (66) Nor were early contests without hazard and hostility. At a contest in Castleford in the late nineteenth century, Batley Old Band’s instruments were sabotaged (a favourite ploy was to place a piece of chewed toffee in the valve of an instrument, which would then harden and impair the function of the instrument and detract from the band’s performance). (67)

The new found zeal of the Prize band for contesting stood in sharp contrast with the situation a year earlier when a resolution in May 1904;

“That the Band go to Stanningley Brass Band Contest, May 21st, each member to pay 1 shilling each”, (sic) (68)

was carried by the casting vote of the Committee Chairman only to be rescinded a week later, though whether from reluctance to compete or consideration of expense is un-stated. (69)

The psychological effect of sartorial appearance on the self esteem of the players and by extension, on the prestige of the Band, has been mentioned previously, particularly with reference to contests and engagements beyond its home base. By 1907 the bandsmen were once again in need of new uniforms but the Band’s finances were insufficient to meet the cost involved. The decision was therefore taken;

“That Mr. S. Marshall Senior be asked for the loan of money to purchase a new uniform for each member of the Band.” (70)

Samuel Marshall Senior, a shopkeeper and businessman of Marsh End, Knottingley, had a long association as a supporter of the Band while his two sons were senior members of the Band; Samuel Junior being the bandmaster. The 21 members of the Band who voted in favour of seeking the loan from Marshall Senior agreed;

“That a written agreement signing all band property, instruments, uniforms, music and etc., (sic) be given to Mr. S. Marshall as security for money lent” (71),

thus mortgaging the future of the Band pending settlement of the debt and making Marshall the virtual owner of the Band.

The uniforms, consisting of tunic, trousers and cap, cost £1-6-0 each and in order to defray the cost the existing uniforms were made available for purchase by the bandsmen at one shilling per item. (72) The size of the loan (probably about £50) and the details concerning repayment are unrecorded but it would appear that the smart appearance of the bandsmen was matched by their musical expertise for in July 1907, the Band was triumphant in a contest at Hemsworth, beating six rival bands to gain first prize with a rendition of ‘Gems of Haydn’ for which the adjudicator, Mr. Luke Corfield of Birmingham, awarded them 89 marks. (73)

News of the Band’s success preceded them and upon their return to Knottingley the members of the Prize Band found a large crowd waiting to welcome them and greet them with a splendid ovation in response to which the Band “played spirited music in acknowledgement of the welcome afforded.”

In addition to gaining the first prize certificate, individual medals had been awarded to Ernest Beaumont for the best cornet performance and to fellow bandsman, W. Thorpe, for his trombone solo. It is interesting to note that the conductor at the contest was J.W. Stamp. (74)

The success of the Band ensured a full house when the second season of indoor concerts was held in the Town Hall on Monday 7th October 1907. The proceedings opened with a speech by the Band President, Cr. J. Harker, who said that the Band had earned its title of ‘Prize Band’. The triumph was achieved by hiring the services of a professional conductor but this, together with new uniforms, had made a great demand upon the funds of the Band. The objective of the concert was to raise money to meet the cost of new instruments. Harker then produced a balance sheet and in asking for public support, stated that if numbers were maintained, the Band would do even better in the future. It was intended at an early date to hold a local contest with prizes with an overall value of £10-£14. Then followed the concert, containing a wide variety of instrumental and vocal items and a conjuring act and concluding with a dance lasting until the early hours, the whole ensuring “…a good boost to Band funds.” (75)

Later that month, the bandsmen and their partners were rewarded for their recent success by their President who entertained them to tea at the White Swan Inn, Hill Top. The Band Secretary, Mr. W.A. Dunford, reported a profit of £3-12-0 from the recent concert and dance and this announcement was then followed by a jovial evening of music and song including a notable piccolo solo by Mr. Cruickshanks. During the proceedings a large, framed photograph of the Band was presented to Cr. Harker on behalf of the members by Mr. R.F. Trueman. Responding, Cr. Harker urged the Band to persevere with their efforts and said he hoped all local employers would allow the bandsmen to take time off work in order to attend concerts. Mr. John Hampshire on behalf of Mr. Joe Wrigley, the licensee of the Waggon & Horses Inn, Aire Street, offered to give £5 towards new instruments if nine other citizens could be persuaded to do so. The President therefore suggested the formation of a committee of townspeople in order to further this objective. The evening closed with thanks to Mr. & Mrs Pearson, the landlord and his lady, for providing such excellent fare. (76)

The prestige accruing to the Band in consequence of its success in 1907 ensured that the following year was an even busier one. The now well established Boxing Day dance presaged a full season of such engagements and with the Spring, Bandmaster Marshall took the Band to a concert at Thorne where a collection was allowed to be sued for the renovation of instruments. (77) The customary summer season of outdoor concerts held in Howards Field, commenced in June, (78) being followed the next month by a hectic week of parades. On the evening of Monday 13th July, the Band marched from Hill Top via Ferrybridge Lane and the Holes, to the Flatts where a demonstration took place in support of the governments proposed legislation regarding the licensing laws. (79) The following evening the Band, in support of the same cause, paraded through Low Green and along Weeland Road and Chapel Street to the Flatts and thence to the Wesleyan Hall where a public meeting was held. On Wednesday the Band marched from Aire Street, along Cow Lane and Racca Green, back to the Flatts and once again to Wesley Hall in the Ropewalk. (80) The Licensing Bill, introduced by Lloyd George on behalf of the Liberal Government, proposed to reduce by one third the 100,000 beer retailing licenses nationally. The measure ultimately failed due to lack of public support, nullifying the strenuous efforts of the Band.

A similarly ‘compressed’ series of events was undertaken the following month when the Band visited Featherstone to play at a local Saturday afternoon sports event which was followed by an evening concert with proceeds in aid of the Featherstone Convalescent Fund. The following Thursday, the Band played at the Ackworth Show and the following week travelled to Stubbs for the village sports. On all the above occasions the Band was conducted by Sammy Marshall. (81)

It is interesting to note that in an age before mechanised vehicles had become a commonplace sight on local roads, the Band travelled to their various engagements by means of a horse-drawn waggonette. The provision of transport was often conditional to acceptance of an engagement. Thus, in May 1904, the Committee resolved that the Band would join in the Life Boat Demonstration at Pontefract on the 25th June “on condition they send a waggonette to fetch and return the Band.” (82)

The ‘foreign’ excursions were not the only charitable efforts undertaken by the Band. Early in August 1908, the Band led the usual annual procession through the town in aid of the Railway Servants Orphanage Fund. (83) For their annual effort in aid of this charity for which “a nice sum was always collected” the Band received a token fee of £1. (84) In October the same processional route was followed as a preliminary to the tea, concert and dance given by the Oddfellows’ Friendly Society, the Orchestral Band playing music at intervals throughout the proceedings which were attended by 180 guests. (85) In addition to attendance at the Hospital Sunday parade and demonstration which was a regular annual engagement each August, the Band also provided the music for the annual concert and dance held under the auspices of the Knottingley Dispensary Committee. In mid August a large audience attended a Town Hall concert given in aid of the Band funds, the Rev. C.E. Everitt presiding over the proceedings in the absence of the Band President, John Harker, the effort to raise funds being dictated by the acceptance of the Band’s application to participate in the forthcoming National Contest to be held in London. (86)

Initially, the report concerning the entry of the Band in the forthcoming contest was somewhat confusing. It was stated that Knottingley Prize Band would be one of the entrants for the 9th annual National Brass Band Contest. The report, however, concerned Bagley’s Glassworks Band. The confusion had doubtless been caused by the fact that the works band had earlier been successful participants in a prize contest thereby in effect, creating a second ‘Prize Band’ within the town. (87) The announcement proved to be equally applicable to the Town Band, however, for by mid September both bands were named as contestants, each according to the local press, “likely to give an account of themselves on their maiden effort.”

The prospective participation of the Knottingley bandsmen, together with those of the Castleford Town Band, engendered so much interest that the Great Northern Railway Co., advertised cheap day excursions to London for the occasion. (88)

In the event only the Silver Prize Band appears to have travelled, there being no mention of the ‘Glassblowers’ band in subsequent newspaper reports. Disappointingly, the performance of the Band in the test piece, ‘Old Favourites’, conducted by J.W. Stamp, was not judged to be of sufficiently high standard to ensure a placement for the Band. However, the Band made its presence known in the Capital when, the following day, led by the omnipresent Sammy Marshall, it marched from Liverpool Street Station to Hyde Park in support of a demonstration against the Licensing Bill. (89) The action of the Band in opposing a measure which it had strenuously supported only a few weeks earlier seems more than a little puzzling and one may only conject that the series of parades on successive evenings in July were engagements which the Band accepted out of necessity to secure income rather than natural support for the cause. Given the known bond which existed between the Band and many local innkeepers it seems most probable that the apparent spontaneity of the London march was more indicative of the feeling amongst the bandsmen.

The Band was more successful in the National Championships of 1911 which again took place at the Crystal Palace. Of 183 entrants overall, the Silver Prize Band competed against 28 of them in its particular section and obtained 4th place, the only Yorkshire band to gain any distinction that year. The Band played under the baton of J.W. Stamp but much of its success was due to hard, regular practice under its regular bandmaster. Reporting the event, an organ of the local press stated of the Band;

“They and Mr Stamp their professional conductor, and Mr S Marshall, the home conductor, deserve heartiest congratulations for their splendid exhibition.” (90)

At a more modest level the Band gained a degree of success in August when in a contest at Normanton involving eight bands, the adjudicator, Mr. Brear of Bradford, placed it 4th in its section. (91)

Terry Spencer 2006

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