Freckleton Band is believed to have been formed in the 1890s. When in 1955, two surviving members of the original band, Robert Rawstrone (aged 89), and James Hawthornthwaite (aged 87), recalled that they and their friends ‘used to meet in a cottage in Kirkham Road’, and it was at one of these social gatherings that someone suggested forming a band.

Having managed to raise £50 to buy a set of second hand instruments, which according to tradition, ‘were taken around the village on a hand cart to see if anyone was interested in ‘having a go’, they started to practice hard in a room above an inn in Bunker Street.

This is believed to be the earliest known band photograph, circa 1900.

The earliest known outside public performance of the band was at the laying of the memorial stone of the new Primitive Methodist Chapel in August 1891. On 10th December 1892, there was a band concert in the village schoolroom. On 14th February 1896, the school was closed all day to allow the Freckleton Band the use of the rooms for a Sale of Work to be opened at 7-00 pm that same evening.

Freckleton Air Disaster 1944

Unfortunately, our past history does involve a lot of sadness and memories that cannot be forgotten. The band still, to this day, pay respect to the tragic circumstances on 23rd August, 1944, when a B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft set off from Warton Aerodrome. The aircraft took flight in normal conditions but very soon hit a severe storm. It crashed into the village of Freckleton causing a devastating effect that is still remembered by the villagers, and the band, to this day.

This link to the BBC News article will tell you more.

Freckleton Band in the 1940s

Freckleton Band in the 1950s

This picture was taken in Freckleton in 1954. The band were leaving to compete in the Daily Herald National Finals in London.

Freckleton Band 1954

Freckleton Band 1958

Freckleton Band 1965

Freckleton and Lytham Club Days 1976 and 1977 (click an image to enlarge)

Warton and Lytham Club Days c1980 – The band in their new red jumpers

The blue uniforms had worn out, and were replaced by a set of red jumpers, as this is all the band could afford at the time. These would soon be replaced by the famous red jackets.