Band History: 1900-1920

From 1903 to 1906 the Band gave regular concerts in Bedford Park and Mill Meadows with further engagements at Woburn Flower Show and the Liberal Party Picnic at Southill Park.

The first photograph of the Band

The first photograph of the Band was taken in 1903 to commemorate the success at a contest at the Langford Show. There were similar successes in 1904 and 1907. On this latter occasion there was some difficulty regaining possession of the cup, which was only achieved after action was taken at Kettering County Court, the other party being Burton Latimer Britannia Band.

During the early 1900s river concerts were given by the Band on the Dame Alice Barge. In 1907 a floating bandstand, built by Messrs Chetham Sons and Biffen, was in use but unfortunately this developed dry rot and during the 1914/18 War it broke up and went over the weir.

In 1909 the Band was fortunate enough to obtain the services of Mr C.A. Vine, retired Chief Bandmaster of the Royal Navy, as conductor. He was obviously a man of many talents, having taught for ten years at Harrow School, who offered tuition in piano, violin, cello, mandolin and banjo as well as all woodwind and brass instruments. Such was his rapport with the Band that a series of concerts followed which culminated in the presentation of a set of tubular bells by local shop owner and dignitary, Mr E.P. Rose. Unfortunately Mr Vine died later that year.

With the support of ten local businessmen, who agreed to act as trustees, the Band was able to promote a concert by the then famous Besses o' th' Barn Band, who had already made two World tours. This concert took place in front of an enthusiastic audience at the Corn Exchange with 'hundreds of other people' listening from the adjacent Saracen's Yard.

July 1912 saw the first mention of the Band playing at the Bedford Regatta: "Whilst the Band were providing a feast of music, starters with magaphones, and the one hundred and one aiders and abettors of noise and commotion were doing their powerful best to drown its strain." (T'was ever thus!)

With the coming of the Great War many members of the Band enlisted in the armed services. However, concerts for the troops were held at the Empire Cinema in Midland Road, the Picturedrome (now the Moat House Hotel), the Corn Exchange and at recruiting rallies in Russell Park.

It was during the first year of the war that the Band's association with the famous Mortimer family began, as members received tuition form Mr Fred Mortimer of the Luton Red Cross Band. Several years later, in 1921, his even more famous son, Harry, appeared as soloist with the Band at the Corn Exchange playing 'The Lost Chord' and 'Les Follies'.