*
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    


Victoria Wood

Last 5 tickets left for NYBBGB in Manchester...

April 18 • There is just room for a quintet of listeners for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at the RNCM in Manchester later today...


pARLIAMENT

BBE returns to Parliament

April 18 • Brass Bands England met MPs in Parliament to reignite support to meet the challenges ahead for bands across the UK.


Linz

UK trio to showcase European preparations

April 18 • Flowers, Tredegar and Whitburn will putting the finishing touches to their European Championship preparations — and you can hear how they are getting on.


Fleetwood

Enjoy the Fleetwood action next weekend.

April 18 • If you can't make it in person then why not sit back and enjoy the brass band action from anywhere in the world...


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 18 April • Hathersage Methodist Church . Main Road. Hathersage S32 1BB


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Chinnor Silver

April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday


Linthwaite Band

April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd