History

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The Band was formed at the turn of the Century as the Princess Royal Colliery Band under the leadership of
Mr Morgan from Lower Yorkley in the Forest of Dean. Sometime before WW1 they became the Bream Silver Band under the baton of Will Robins, landlord of the then Miners Arms. The first rehearsal room for the Band was a small barn in Bream which still stands to this day.

In the 1920s an ex-army hut was purchased and erected on the site of the current Bandroom, the land rented from the Crown. In 1957 the lease was bought by the late Vic Shingles for £18 and given to the Band. With the help of the Band members the present Bandroom was built in 1959 and opened by Phillips Price MP and Judith Rudge, the Band’s youngest member.

The 1920s was a very successful period for the Band under the leadership of Evan Jones. The Band still displays their shield for winning the Cheltenham Music Festival for 3 years in a row.

During WW2 many of the Band joined the 4th Battalion Glosters Home Guard Band and for a few years Bream had no Band. It was reformed by Amos Phillips and Mr Ambury before being handed over to Bill Sterry of Lydney. Evan Jones returned in 1956 until his retirement in 1963.

Nigel Howard

Later Bandmasters included Tony Mudway and Ken Harman. Other assistance came from Ian Watts and Clive Lewis during a time in which the Band was unable to secure a regular conductor. Nigel Howard, joined the Band in 1998 and had several sucessful years including winning the West of England 3rd Section Championships.

Huw Cole joined the band as MD in September 2003.

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WEST OF ENGLAND 3RD SECTION CHAMPIONS 2001