Senior Band - History

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Hade Edge Band is the youngest of the five 'valley bands' Hepworth, Hinchcliffe Mill, Holme Silver, Meltham and Meltham Mills, and Hade Edge. It was formed in July 1908 by a Sunday School committee of brass band enthusiasts, who wished to revive the movement in the district after the demise of the Old Moss band a few years previously. Instruments were collected from ex-members of the Old Moss Band and rehearsals started under their first conductor, Allen Swallow.

There has always been a need for fund raising events in brass bands and Hade Edge is no exception. One such event in the early years of the bands life, a garden party and goat roasting resulted in the design of the bands logo. A goat mounted on the White Rose of Yorkshire.

Over the years at Hade Edge, the band has seen many players and conductors pass through the ranks, as well as many contesting victories. Particularly under the baton of Albert Robinson in the 40's and 50's, Jack Fisher in the 70's and 80's, Eric Landon in the early 90's and under the current Musical Director Simon Wood.

During 2001 part of the band took part in the first ever stage production of Brassed Off at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield. An experience that they will not forget in a hurry.

December 2001 also marked the foundation of the Hade Edge Junior Band, The Honking Hedgers under the baton again of Simon Wood. The youngsters, around 30 in total, range from 6 years up started as absolute beginners and have improved in leaps and bounds. In January 2003 they were joined by a training band which caters for new starters who will hopefully progress to the Honking Hedgers and then to the Senior Band.

The bands contest record speaks for itself, especially with the latest victories at the Regional areas and successive visits to the National Finals concluding in being promoted to the First Section. This progression started in 2001 at the Yorkshire Regional contest where the band came second in the second section and qualified for the National Finals in Preston, where a fifth place was gained. The following year the Band won the Yorkshire Regional contest and once again qualified for the National Finals this time in Torquay. This time the band succeeded and won becoming the Second Section National Champions of Great Britain. This resulted in promotion to the First Section. A second place followed at the Regional area contest in 2003 bringing us to the National Finals, in Dundee, for a third time. The band gained an impressive thirteenth place, considering they were newly promoted.

At the area contest in 2004 the band gained a fifth place which resulted in them being promoted to the Championship Section.

Over the past 95 years there have been many notable achievements and prizes but more importantly within the band there is a strong tradition of family ties and a wonderful warm and friendly atmosphere which never changes.

The band would like to pay tribute to long lost friends and members Bryan Hirst, Jack Fisher, Renee Dickinson, Mike Smith, and Jon Tinker.

The band and their musical director, along with the untiring support of Mr Edgar Dickinson, is looking forward to continuing to entertain audiences throughout the country. as it approaches its centenary.