Back row: George, Tom James, Chris Threfall, Bernard Casson
Next row: Jack Benson, Jimmy Little, Jackie Fairclough, Ian Threlfall, Patrick Howard, Mike Murphy, Mark Fairclough
Next Row: Cath Benson, Paul Dalton, Eric Bamber, Mr Boddington, Jim Baines, Dick Rossall (secretary)
Front row: Ian Rayton

In 1983, Boddingtons Brewery broke the news that the bandroom adjoining the Coach and Horses pub was to be demolished to make way for additional car parking. The band decided to build their own bandroom and the brewery contributed £500 towards the cost. Paul Dalton had been conductor of the band for about a year having taken over from Duncan Beckley.

The band undertook the work themselves with the help of local tradesmen.

Foreground: Paul Dalton, Mark Fairclough (principal cornet), David Shaw, Cliff, Roger Parkinson
Background: Dick Rossall, Cath Benson, Jackie Fairclough, Gill Stables

In October and November 1983, work on the brickwork was well underway, however, disaster struck when vandals kicked down the partially completed walls overnight. This local Evening Gazette article helped to raise funds in the community to help rebuild after the wilfull damage. Members of the band and supporters held all-night “watches” until the brickwork was finished in December.

Here’s a photo of the old bandroom from Steve Collins (Smiler)