*
banner

Roll out the barrel...

A band with a famous brewery past is making a comeback under a different guise in Richmond...

wATNEY
  The community band has enjoyed a rich and colourful past

A band with a colourful musical history is set to return later this year with the re-establishment of the Richmond-upon-Thames Band after an absence of 35 years.

Impression

Known as the Watney Silver Band in the 1960s and early 70s, the band made an impression both with their distinctive brewers name and their approach to music making, which at times included the use of French horns and double bass in concert performances under the baton of Albert Meek. They also enjoyed contest success too, winning the London & Southern Counties Second Section Area title in 1967.

Although sponsorship ended in the early 1970s the band carried on and a little later enjoyed success led by London Symphony Orchestra trumpet player Malcolm Smith, making a last contest performance in 1982.

Richmond

Now, through the efforts of local enthusiasts, the band is being reformed as the new Richmond Brass Band, with a mission to capitalise on the wealth of talented brass players in the local area as well as documenting the definitive history of the former band.

Led by Victoria van Uden, they will focus on public performance and community collaboration. Victoria is the Head of Brass at the Richmond Music Trust and has enjoyed tremendous success bringing a spotlight to brass education in the area.

the band is being reformed as the new Richmond Brass Band, with a mission to capitalise on the wealth of talented brass players in the local area as well as documenting the definitive history of the former band4BR

Get in touch

The band is now actively looking to recruit players, so if you are interested, or have information relating to the former band, then get in touch, by visiting their website at: http://richmondbrassband.com) or e-mailing: info@richmondbrassband.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Paul Jenkins

Jenkins steps back for Westacott at Pontardulais

October 31 • Rob Westacott takes at the West Wales band as Paul Jenkins steps down after 20 years at the helm.


Bagpipes

New addition to bagpipe and brass repertoire

October 31 • The success of 'The Piper's Farewell' has led to a second brass band and bagpipe work from composers Ian Macpherson BEM and Scott Morton.


Chris Thomas

Thomas duet drives ambulance help to Ukraine

October 31 • Chris and Frankie Thomas have delivered an ambulance to help Ukrainian forces after a convoy drive from Leamington Spa to Poland.


Regional Championships

2027 regional championship dates confirmed

October 31 • There will be eight contests over four weekends as bands look to book their places for London and York.


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Saturday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The KNDS Fairey Band

Saturday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 November • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Regent Brass

October 30 • Regent Brass (MD Alan Duguid) have a vacancy for Bass Trombone.. We are a friendly and progressive championship section band regularly promoting new music and actively pursues a varied performance schedule. .


Tintwistle Band

October 29 • We are looking for front row cornet players to help complete the team. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle. We perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Olney Brass

October 27 • We are a friendly and committed THIRD SECTION band looking for: - CORNETS (Front & Back Row) - SOLO HORN - Eb BASS Engagements and concerts in the Olney/Milton Keynes area. Rehearsals in Milton Keynes MK15 (5 mins from J14 of M1) on Tuesdays 7.45-9.45.


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd