Band History: 1945-1970

In 1948 Mr Reg Crane was appointed bandmaster and the following year, under his direction, the Band won a shield at the Northants Association Contest at Rushden, the first trophy in 44 years.

1950 was also a particularly good year for the Band; they gave 35 concerts with never less than 28 players, and held 93 rehearsals with an average attendance of 25 members. In the same year they qualified for the National Finals at Belle Vue, Manchester.

Mr Crane, with the undoubted assistance of Messrs Bromfield, Dilley, Keech, Rose and 'Spike' Taylor to name but a few carried the Band over the ensuing years with tireless enthusiasm, and devotion to a policy of teaching youngsters.

In any organisation there has to be someone 'behind the scenes', and in the case of the Bedford Town Band this was Mr Arthur Ball. Having been appointed Secretary in 1903 he guided the Band for over 50 years, arranging hundreds of concerts and even sponsoring the Band at some contests. Upon his retirement in 1952 he received a letter from Mr Fred Mortimer declaring "... I don't know how the Band will fill your place. You should be honoured in some way by the Brass Band World, let's hope so." Sadly national recognition was not forthcoming.

Arthur Ball would have have been pleased to have known that in October 1966 Mander College was the venue for the first contest in the town for over 45 years. Some 700 people were in attendance with over 200 bandsmen and women. The contest followed the format of an entertainment contest and was so succesful that it was repeated the following year.

In October 1969 following three years hard work 18 new instruments were purchased at a cost of £1400. This allowed the older ones they replaced, some of which were 50 years old to be used to form a Junior Band. This had a number of engagements in its own right, including one at the Granada Cinema before the showing of "The Railway Children".

Reg Crane had a particular gift for inspiring and teaching young players and encouraged them to enter contests and local festivals with some success. Such was the enthusiasm of those clamouring to joing that one lad of 13 cycled seven miles to rehearse three times a week. When asked why he did it he replied, "I like it."