With the Royal Albert Hall hosting the 20 top bands in the UK in their battle to decide the title of Champion Band of Great Britain this weekend, there will be a band enjoying success of a different kind in Hertfordshire, when Royston Town Band celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Existence

A special anniversary concert will be held at the band’s local parish church, where the concert will include music from each of the fifteen decades of its musical existence.

The band’s proud history has seen them perform under many different names and conductors (some who will join them for the event) — from Royston Volunteer Band and the wonderfully named Royston Teetotal Band to today’s title.

New home

Formed by the noted Roystonian William Hinkins, the band is currently fund raising for a new home after it had to move out of the rehearsal facility it enjoyed for the last half a century when the Hinkins family manor house was sold.

The band’s proud history has seen them perform under many different names — including the wonderful named Royston Teetotal Band4BR

Future in place

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Land was identified and planning for the building of the new band hut was applied for.

This planning phase has proved to be a difficult and lengthy process, but finally nearly everything is in place and it is hoped that construction will be able to start very soon."

The next 150 years of a wonderful community bands is secure then…