Band History: The Second World War

On 22nd October 1939 Charlie Chamberlain, the Band conductor for many years, was knocked off his bicycle whilst on his way home from band practice by an RAF vehicle on the Town Bridge, and was fatally injured.

The 'Holidays at Home' programmed was devised by the Government in early 1940 and to facilitate this Local Authorities were provided with funds to increase and improve recreational amenities. Consequently the bandstand was moved at a cost of £187 19s from St Mary's Gardens where it had become something of a white elephant to a more favourable site in Mill Meadows, where it remains to this day. The 'raft' was moved to Russell Park where it was used as a stage until it was eventually vandalised for firewood.

Following the Second World War the Band had some difficulty re-establishing itself and, in response to a request for financial assistance, the Council agreed to contribute £2 10s towards the expenses for each concert given at the Mill Meadows, up to a maximum of £150 for the season. Prior to this the Band had been dependent upon public collections at the outdoor concerts and an annual house-to-house collection.