Cape of Good Hope

1925

The Band moved its headquarters to the Cape of Good Hope pub on the plain, Oxford. It is also suggested that the band change its name.

Oxford and District News

February 1925

Headington Silver is still busy, having had several very enjoyable concerts in Oxford Town Hall durmg the winter season. Good crowds have been the rule, but bad collections. 560 threepenny pieces formed the greater part of the collection on one occasion I am sorry to hear that they are likely to lose one or two of their best men, who are joining Morris' Motor Works Band, but Headington will survive it, with such a secretary as Mr. Clifton to help them on. And there are always plenty of learners ready to fill up the gaps.

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BRASS BAND NEWS, FEBRUARY 1925

AMATEUR BAND NOTES.

Friday 27 February 1925

The third annual dinner of the Head[ington Silver Prize Band, at the Britannia Inn], on Feb. 12th, when the bandsmen were the guests of the proprietor, Mr. I. Wyatt, who entertained the band as a mark of his appreciation for their splendid successes during the past year. A goodly company enjoyed the excellent repast served, under the presidency of Councillor E. B. Lewis, one of the vice-presidents. The concert held later was well attended by subscribers and friends, the musical items by Messrs. Parker, Perrior, and Norwood being well received. The able secretary, Mr. C. E. Clifton, during the evening gave an account of the contests attended and results attained, and stated that if possible all contests within a reasonable radius would be attended during the coming season. Two important presentations took place during the evening. The first was made to Mr. W. Miller, who has ably filled the position of bandmaster for some years, and took the form of a handsome watch suitably inscribed. Mr. Miller, in responding, stated that it was the greatest surprise of his life, and he had not the slightest inkling that he was to be the recipient of such a splendid token. He would not value it for its worth, but for the esteem and appreciation shown by the bandsmen, and he hoped that he would live to see the band climb still higher up the ladder of success, which could only be done by the bandsmen working in harmony. (May Mr. Miller live to see his hopes fulfilled!) The other presentation took the form of a splendid mahogany eight-day timepiece, and the fortunate recipient was Mrs. Edward, one of the most active of the band's many lady workers. Suitably inscribed upon a silver plate was "From the Headington Silver Prize Band as a small token of esteem and regard for services rendered." The evening terminated' with a vote of thanks to the host and hostess and the genial chairman. In connection with the Headington Band a special word of praise is due to Mr. C. E. Clifton, the secretary, to whose untiring' efforts is due much of the success achieved by the band. Many may remember the Headington Band some years ago before. Mr. Clifton was connected with it. and they will appreciate the great strides made, due in no small measure to his labours, ably backed up by a spirit of loyalty and good fellowship among the band members. At the best a secretary's job is rather a thankless task; he gets but little appreciation when all is going well, and has to bear the brunt when everything is wrong. A good band secretary is a rarity, and Headington should consider themselves highly favoured in having such a one as Mr. Clifton, who is not only the best in the district, but one of the best in the South of England. Long may he live, and may he see, with Mr. Miller, his band not only the best in the county but among the best in England!.

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Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 27 FEBRUARY 1925

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[Note: The clock later turned up at an antique shop in Etowah, Tennessee!]

The Headington Band's Sunday Concert.

Friday 27 March 1925

The Town Hall was not quite so well filled as usual on Sunday evening, when the Headington Silver Band gave their last indoor concert of the season the artistes were Madame Georgina Phillips and Mr. Harold Phillips, of principal London, Scottish and provincial concerts, and Mr. Harold Phillips, jun., was the accompanist. Mr. W. Miller conducted the band in his usual able manner. Appended is the programme:— March: " Blockade" (J A. Greenwood); air varie, "Beulah" (arr. W. Rimmer), the band; song, "Serenade" (Gounod), Madame Georgina Phillips; encore song. "Spring is here" (Edith A. Dick); trombone solo, "Lend tree your (arranged by Lt. J. Ord Hume), Mr. W.J. Bateman, accompanied by Miss V. Whiting; songs, "The Fisherman" (Gerald Lane), and "Chip of the Old Block" (W. H. Squire), Mr. Harold Phillips; cornet solo, "Ave Maria" (Mascagni), Mr. R. Hinkins; song, "Isis," Madame Georgina Phillips (this song was specially written for Madame Phillips by W.S. Martin); selection, "Classic Gems" (arranged W. Rimmer), and March, "El Abanica" (Javaloyes), the band. Special mention must be made of the excellent rendering of their solos by Messrs. W. J. Bateman, trombone, and R. Hinkins, cornet. It may be remembered that both were competitors at the solo and quartette contest held in Oxford in February. Mr. Bateman secured first prize in his section, but Mr. Hinkins, though he thoroughly deserved to be in the prizes, was unfortunate owing to the piano not quite being in tune.

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Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 27 MARCH 1925

AMATEUR BAND NOTES.

Wednesday 3 June 1925

Headington Band headed the procession organsed by the "Imps" last Saturday. I did not have the pleasure of hearing them, but understand that they played fairly - well, though Headington. like many other better-class bands is better on the stand than on the march.

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Oxfordshire Weekly News - Wednesday 3 June 1925

ODBBA Contest

Saturday 18 July 1925

The Band did compete at the association contest 18 July 1925 and were 2nd to Morris Motors. The test piece being 'Echoes of the Opera', and they also took the medal for best solo cornet. So although down, were not out!JA

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Section II, "Echoes of the Opera" Headington Silver: "Opening is rather overblown and untuneful... ", Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette - Friday 24 July 1925

Headington Horticultural Show

Monday 3 August 1925

The Headington Silver Prize Band played selections during the afternoon, and provided dance music in the evening.

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Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette - Friday 07 August 1925