If you ever thought that the use of ‘borrowed players’ to help a band win a contest is a questionable new fad in brass banding, then a letter written to the Editor of ‘The York Herald’ newspaper of July 1859 may make you think again...
Disgust
The letter from Mr Alfred Mountain, Secretary of the Baildon Band outlined his disgust at the outcome of the recent York Contest.
“...in regard to the York Band Contest, the awarding of the prizes gave anything but satisfaction.
It was admitted by all hands present that the Baildon Band had played in excellence, second to none; yet it was awarded no prize, although a prize was given to Compstall band, which excited by the surprise of all – the playing being bad in the extreme, even worse than that of the local York Band."
Bona fide
When the York band commenced to play, the Baildon band, along with others bands, objected to it, "...knowing as it is right to suppose it did know that the band contained players who were not bona fide members thereof,” as Mr Mountain stated.
.... in no very gentlemanly manner or language, that it, had made already a wand for its own behind!The York Herald, 1859
Ungentlemanly language
The letter goes on to state that the Baildon band made an official complaint to the contest committee only to be told, as Mr Mountain so eloquently went on:
".... in no very gentlemanly manner or language, that it, had made already a wand for its own behind!" (Baildon had taken to the stage without telling the contest organisers which piece they were to perform)
Mr Mountain continued: "These were the very words, and that this is no excuse for unfairness. The band wishes no favours, but has the right to expect justice, which, I think, these lines will convince any impartial mind was not done at York."
No pros
He then laid down a new challenge to any band that competed at the York Contest to compete against the Baildon Band in a new contest for the winning take all sum of £50 – ‘with no professionals’....
And all this ahead of Butlins this weekend too...
