Shipston Town Band recently celebrated its 100th anniversary of its formation with a stirring march through the local town.

Bet

The band was formed in May 1912 when a local man Charles Holman won his bet with an auctioneer Frank Parsons that he could raise a band fit to march through the streets of Shipston in the space of just six weeks.

The inspirational Holman taught his novices using a system of numbers and the march was completed — and the bet won, although only just — as only he and the bass drum were still playing when they finally marched back to their starting spot!

We didn’t place a bet this time, but we ended with more players still blowing!MD, David Birch

Return

The route was documented in the local paper and to celebrate the centenary the current band swelled by a number of former members re-enacted the occasion.

Shipston’s David Birch told 4BR: "It was a great occasion just like 100 years ago. Players came up from London Yorkshire, with Carlton Main’s Kirsty Abbotts just making it in time to join in with her first band and Alistair Smith from Catterick Brass providing a real sense of occasion by wearing his full military regalia as Drum Major."

He added with a laugh: "We didn’t place a bet this time, but we ended with more players still blowing!"