The second oldest brass band in the country gave an outstanding performance to celebrate its 200th anniversary on Friday evening.
The evening began with a rousing version of the National Anthem with the large audience standing and singing ‘God Save the King’. The band first played it when it was another king on the throne – King William lV!
Stanhope Silver Band, founded in 1823 before Queen Victoria came to the throne, entertained hundreds of people at a concert held at Consett Empire Theatre. Members past and present filled the stage, conducted by Dennis Noble who entertained in between the music with his own brand of humour.
Weardale people turned out by the score, crossing the barren fells of Stanhope Moor to witness the event and enjoy an evening of superb entertainment, which included solo performances from some band members, worthy of an international stage. Valerie Evans, now in her 30s but who, as a teenager, won the band’s Young Musician of the Year award, gave an outstanding cornet solo during the performance of First Light. Valerie, daughter of John and Audrey Craig from Stanhope, was one of the Craig family who had no less than seven members playing – all female! They included her mother, sister, aunt and cousins plus her husband! Three generations, in fact, with Margaret Craig, her daughter, Victoria and granddaughters, Sophie and Georgia.
The band is always well supported by Dalefolk who look forward to their appearance at Stanhope Agricultural Show every year where they march up the main street, across the stepping stones and into the show field. It is a tradition that began before the advent of the motor car and continues to this day.
The original group, known as ‘The Band of Hope’ performed in Stanhope Methodist Chapel in 1823 and by 1859, persuaded by leader Mr De Lacy, they took part in their first competition held in London’s Crystal Palace in 1860. They travelled by train from Frosterley Station.
In 1904, the band was able to purchase a complete set of new instruments and re-named Stanhope Silver Band and almost 20 years later, the then19-year-old Jack Woodhall took over as conductor. He became legendary in Weardale, his name synonymous with the band he would lead for 50 years His great-niece, Diane Wright, was in the audience to proudly watch the band she still supports to this day as Honorary President.
Members, over the years, have travelled the country to take part in brass band competitions, including a very successful period in the 1950s when they played to victory in a national championship in London. Some members have gone on to achieve national and even international acclaim. One honorary member is Herr Paul Munch whose father was held at Harperley Prisoner of War Camp and was put to work for the Craig family at Stanhope..
He decided to stay in Weardale after the war and his son joined the band and later moved to Germany where he organised visits by the band to celebrate the 750th anniversary of his village several years ago and also the 175th anniversary of the band itself. The concerts were an amazing success.
As was the 200th anniversary concert with the band receiving a standing ovation at the end and demands for an encore, which was duly given.
The Chairman of the band, Sean Hayes, who had played a duet with Sue Smith on the Euphonium during the concert, addressed the audience with reflections on the past before everyone reluctantly left the theatre.
Stanhope Silver Band has a constant struggle to finance itself but also acknowledge and appreciate the help from the community. The band is usually the first port of call to celebrate an occasion in the Dales and always obliges. They continue to look to the future and fully expect to last another 200 years!