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Bretforton Band was formed in August 1895 from the Evesham Temperance Movement, known as the Band of Hope. At Bretforton School, on the 18^th September, 1895 there was a concert of piano and violin music to raise funds for the Brass Band. The earliest documented public appearance of the band was in an annual parade on 18^th August 1896. It is said that the six founder members of the band each borrowed ten pounds to buy second hand instruments. The band could then collect money, performing at concerts and repay the members.

In 1897 the band played on top of St Leonard's church tower to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond Jubilee. The big drum was hauled up the outside of the church on a rope. This was repeated 70 years later in 1977 and then  in 2002 to celebrate the Queens silver and Golden Jubilees. The band also played a fanfare from the top of the church tower in 1995 to celebrate their own centenary.

By 1913 there were 15 players in the band and in 1933 the band bought its first silver instrument, a euphonium. By 1937 they had enough silver instruments to be renamed Bretforton Silver Band.

During the 1930s and 1940s the band often played as a band. Much of the success and the survival of the band was due to the work of the late Stan Archer who was bandmaster between 1931 and 1960. He encouraged many young musicians to join the band. In 1931 there were only 10 members, today there are 29. Women have played in the band since 1960. The first overseas performance was in Bad Neustadt, West Germany in 1981. The band have remained twinned with Musikapelle Lohrieth for over 25 years and still regularly visit them.

The Band outside Bretforton Manor - 1904

 Bretforton Silver Band 1937

The bands longest serving and much respected bandmaster

Mr. Stan Archer Bandmaster 1931-1960

Musikapelle Lohrieth , Our twin band in Germany.

The photo is from 1981 when our friendship started.