Bandsman1966

I still get emails about these, on my old PC, that I hardly ever check. Couldn't remember my password for this site and the PC blocks this forum. After much faffing about I'm back in.

Can't believe I didn't recognise Tommy Percy, it was he who gave me lessons all those years ago, I used to go to his house every week and remember his lovely wife bringing tea and biscuits.

Nice to see more names added though.

If they won the picnic in 75 that was the year before my avatar pic was taken. A press photographer posed mum and I on Front Street, it was probably the NP Leader? As you can see I was too small for a blazer. Actually I was too small for the hat and the horrible crimplene kipper tie too. Ten years old and marching with the band, I was so proud.

I remember Jimmy well, and I think I remember Deborah. We lived on the Wansbeck Estate from the late 60's, by the middle shops and my folks stayed there until the 90's, the Golding's were only a few minutes walk away.

#11 Clarence Millburn

#7 Howard Swanson?

#21 Ian Lamb? ??

8 hours ago, Canny lass said:

I didn't know aout this 'merger'. Does anybody have details of when it occurred and why?

See details on this thread, if I've copied the correct link, this seems to fit with my memories.

I think I was told it was because the pit closed (I had started to learn cornet in Netherton winter '72/3, probably the Institute/club?) and I don't believe it was a merger of two bands, but a change of name and "sponsor".

The band moved into the factory for rehearsals at that time and continued for a few years but there were issues with where we played, often we would be in a corner of the canteen which was not ideal for a band practice or the workers trying to eat. My mum stopped playing altogether around 78/9(?) and my father and I moved to another band, whether this was because the band broke up or not I don't know.

Other names to add:

I think these may be correct, 22 Arthur Brodie. 12 Clarence Milburn. 

Possibles, 18 Ian Lamb. 27 Howard Swanson

I think I was told it was because the pit closed (I had started to learn cornet in Netherton '72/3) and I don't believe it was a merger of two bands, but a change of name and "sponsor".

The band moved into the factory for rehearsals at that time and continued for a few years but there were issues with where we played, often we would be in a corner of the canteen which was not ideal for a band practice or the workers trying to eat. My mum stopped playing altogether around 78/9(?) and my father and I moved to another band, whether this was because the band broke up or not I don't know.

Thank you.

Ah, now, if you compare the names from the "earlier" pic I see the 2 young lads #'s 26/7  named as Hutton & Clark, on this pic #2 and #9 a few years older.....we're (mostly you) are starting to pin this timeframe down.

Great stuff, I've no idea who dad asked in obtaining those names, he was born in '33, or where he got the pic from. The only date we can be certain of is that it was sometime after 1906.
They had "military" style uniforms by the 50's and the name changed several times over the years. 

Not sure, it would be logical to presume it was taken at Netherton. 
I recognise a very young Billy Hamilton kneeling in the front. Tank top wearer not the trombonist. It might be Arthur Brodie directly behind his left shoulder (white shirt and braces)

I believe it is North Seaton band, W (Billy) Litster was there as was (I think) W S (sammy) Bond.
The rest are not familiar to me.

Seems correct to me.

Not a name I knew, but I'd say you're right. Now looking at the band photo which looks a couple of years later there are also 2 youngish lads stacked on the steps, right of centre. Could they be the trombonists in the quartet? G Railton (could be in that position) and possibly Turnbull or Dickinson behind/above?

Of those I can positively identify, #'s 18,22,28,29,37 100% accurate.

These are a high probability #'s 20,23,25,32,34.

Excellent work. Thank you for your fantastic patience.

I don't, whenever the pit closed, or the village hall/club was shut. I don't remember exactly where we rehearsed in the village or how they came to be the B N band and move to Cramlinton. Those dates are accurate (probably) so 74-76 but the workers at the factory objected, loudly, to the band rehearsing at the far end of their canteen and my mum gave up and dad and I changed bands. I've no idea how long the band survived after that. The Cuthbertsons and others went to Ellington Colliery, some to Ashington and others Lynemouth bands.

I do remember the ties were an awful yellow polyester and there was no budget to provide a jacket for me hence my pullover with badge sewn on in my profile pic (with mother) the hats were Netherton's.

Cool. Front 'line' L-R is Ridley, Bradley, Hamilton, Elsie Steel, Smith.

Joe Grant is on the left, between the "E" of Sutcliffe sign and the carriage lamp.

I can't actually see Ray Douglas or Jimmy Golding in the background.

Not certain which is ¿Kenny? Bond.

Actually, dad was fairly good at tagging so the list might be correct from rear to front, left to right in ranks.

Yes, if it helps I am certain of a couple of the identities. (BTW you missed the H from Netherton).

Known at this time as Netherton Colliery Workmens Brass Band.

First man far left of pic is Geo. Cuthbertson. Baritone/Euphonium.

To his left on the rank (with hat tipped back) might be ¿Clarence?Milburn. Baritone/Euph.

Youngster is probably Stevie Robertson. Cornet.

Bloke in front of side drum looks like Joe Grant. Tenor Horn, though I only knew him as a cornet player so he could be ('face obscured by his music, bloke in specs) next to the tall guy not in uniform

Please do, there's plenty of people out there who had family in the Bands and will love seeing their "ancestors".

I did look about on the other pages and see your labeling method, it's a great idea, if I'd noticed before I uploaded the pics  I'd not have needed to include scans of the labels.

Tommy was "old" then. Probably around sixty, but to a ten year old anyone over 40 was ancient.

My Nana and Grandad lived at Hirst Terrace North, I spent a lot of time in Dr. Pit park in the 70's and, when old enough to be trusted, explored the river from Furnace Bank to Hartford so our paths probably never crossed on those timelines.

I remember the Hell of doing the "cross country" run from BHS 79-82. Mr Cunningham was an evil *basket*. From the black bridge to the bank top, down Furnace bank, over the bridge then cut along the river bank to the Spine Road and back over the river, down to a scrapyard(?) and return to the Black bridge, 2 whole loops and if you were spotted cutting any corners you got to go down the bank and back up again.
I don't remember ever seeing that bandstand.

I only remember the rectangular one at Atlee Park. The Picnic field. But that would seem logical.

Long-shot, but I wonder if Tommy Percy (who was my tutor for cornet) was a relation? Lived at Easton Homes if I remember correctly '76 (ish).