Riddings United March Book

Riddings United March Book Gavin Holman – June 2019 This book consists of the Repiano cornet parts of 50 bound marches (of which two are missing) for the Riddings United Prize Band. Dating from around the 1890s/1900s – possibly slightly earlier. Most bands at this time had at least one set of music similar to this, either filled with marches, or simple “tunes & toasts” or equivalents. Designed to be easy to play in a lyre on the march or in situations where the normal music stands (such as they were) were not available. I am sure that most of today’s bands with a long history used similar books, indeed some may still have some in their library and/or archive, possibly even playing from them. I certainly would be interested to hear of any surviving sets or part sets in current bands. The Riddings United Prize Band was formed in 1899, with bandmaster G. Davidson. It continued in extistence up to the 1930s. Its secretary was A. Warhurst in 1902, and conductor was James Woodcock in the 1890s and early 1900s. They also frequently used the services of George Hames as their professional conductor in this period. A previous band (Riddings United Temperance Brass Band, had existed in 1891 (also conducted by G. Davidson), but this folded some time before 1899 – probably in 1897 (the last known contest appearance of that band). Subsequent bands in the village were Riddings, Somercotes and Leabrooks Silver Band (early 1950s to the mid 1960s) and Riddings Band (1970 to 2007), the latter rising all the way to the Championship section before disbanding. Finally – between the covers of this book were a couple of pieces of card, probably used as stiffeners. One was blank, but the other was an advertising card for the Perth Dye Works: