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It is quite appropiate that a Salvation Army Band should make its first public appearance on Easter Sunday Morning. And we at Leeds West Hunslet are proud of the fact that we did just that, on Easter Sunday in the year 1895.
Very little is on record as to how many playing members there were in Leeds VIII Band, as it was then known, or even as to who the leader was. Even six years later, when Captain Charles Ring was appointed Commanding Officer, there was still no commissioned Bandmaster, although Bandsman John Todd was endevouring to hold the group together. It is significant that many years later during the Second World War, Bandsman Todd’s son (also called John) held the group together during the absence on Military Service of Bandmaster Fred Ring After Captain Charles Ring had commanded the corps for six months he relinquished his position of Corps Officer and subsequently was appointed first Commissioned Bandmaster. Under his leadership, the small group of men grew quickly in numbers, and such was the progress made then just before the 1914-18 War, the Band numbered about thirty players, and proudly boasted a fine set of instruments. Throughout the War, the Band kept up its witness and continued to be at the forefront of the Corps activities, even though the armed forces had left only a few players available. Three Bandsmen (Teddy Blacker, Herbert Watkins and Luke Birkinshaw) gave their lives during the period of bitter conflict. At the conclusion of the war, the Band, aided by new instrument schemes, went from strength to strength to such an extent that forty men were playing by 1924. At this time, Deputy Bandmaster James Wadman was appointed Bandmaster, and then three more Bandmasters (F. Watkins, F. Robertson and R. Haswell) served for short periods of office before Deputy bandmaster Fred Ring of Leeds New Wortley took on the responsibility in 1929.
Bandmaster Ring’s expert leadership maintained a high standard untill the Second World War, when once again only a few men were left to keep the Band’s activities going. Deputy Bandmaster John Todd kept the few men together during these difficult years and once again, by tragic coincidence, three Bandsmen (Arthur Potter, Andrew Hirst and Douglas Walton) lost their lives in service for their country.
When the war ended, Bandmaster Ring was again able to resume full responsibility of the Band until 1948, when due to employment taking him away from the area, he had to rellinquish his duties.
In 1948 Bandmaster W. E. Wadman was appointed, but he also had to relinquish his position in 1952 due to reasons of employment.
During the next 21 years the Band was to have five leaders, Herbert Wadman, Derek Dring, Eddie Kirk, Keith Darlington and Paul Hunter, the longest serving of these Bandmasters being Herbert Wadman, (1952 – 62). All these leaders worked hard to maintain the standards of musicianship and deportment which had been set in the past.
July 1973 saw the Band under the direction of Deputy Bandmaster Laurence Moorby, with full responsiblity being taken in November 1973. In 1975 Bandsman Malcolm Hirst was appointed Band Sergeant and then commenced a long and settled period of almost 20 years during which bandmaster and Band Sergeant together worked hard to keep, and where possible improve on, standards of musicianship and of Christian witness.
In 1986 an instrument scheme was launched and provided a part-set of good quality instruments, some of which are still in use today. And as well as wekend campaigns nationwide, the Band has featured on local radio and television and has also produced a number of cassette tape recordings. Bandmaster Laurence Moorby officially retired in November 2001, but since that time has acted as assistant to Deputy Bandmaster Chris Newing, who now looks after the Band. Once again, this leader has risen to the challenge and taken the Band forward, under perhaps more difficult conditions than ever, to achieve positive results and to carry on the long tradition of upholding high standards in every facet of Salvation Army Banding to which this Band has become accustomed.
Change occurs within any group, and today’s ensemble is much smaller than in the past. However, this has not affected the determination of its members to aim high in their efforts as music making. Much of the Band’s current repertoire is based on the Festival Series Band Journal, supported by high quality music from all the other Salvation Army Journals. The music is thoroughly prepared and well presented, and every member of the Band works hard to maintain high standards of musicianship, deportment and Christian example.
The present ensemble owes its very exiistance to the leaders of the past, and such has been the influence of those leaders, that Bandsmen who have served within the Band can be seen the world over, still maintaining the traditions expected of the Band. Over recent years, the Band has formulated a “Mission Statement” which clearly sets out its objectives, It says: “It is our desire to awaken within the hearts and minds We trust that God will help to do just that, and that many will be blessed by the continued ministry of Leeds West Hunslet Band.
History of the Band...
Of all who hear, an awareness
Of the Christian Gospel.
To bless, encourage, help and inspire them and
To assist in the winning of souls for Christ’s Kingdom.”
We send greetings to all former memebrs of Leeds West Hunslet Band and to those friends who have supported the Band in various ways over the period of time the Band has been in Service
