1950 1959
A timeline of news, stories and pictures from 1950 1959.
If you have stories, memories or pictures of the band we'd love to hear from you.
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Oxford and District News
January 1950
Headington report that they made a nice profit on their Contest and the Concert by Black Dyke in October, and are well satisfied with their first large-scale venture in this respect. I am sure that they will make an even greater success in 1950. The Band have launched a learners' class, and this promises to provide a good supply of material for the senior band, although they still lack instruments for all the beginners.
BRASS BAND NEWS, JANUARY 1951
Oxford and District News
September 1950
Secretary G. H. Giles, of Headington Silver has favoured me with a copy of the schedule of the contest at Oxford on October 14th, when "Symphony in C" is one of the testpieces for Section I. Fairey Aviation Works Band are the star of the evening concert, and it is hoped that Mr. Harry Mortimer will be there to adjudicate and conduct the band. Entries close on October 1st, so intending bands should get in touch with Mr. Giles as soon as possible. Headington are keeping fairly busy with engagements and the City Park concerts, although they have not been favoured with very good weather this season for the latter.
BRASS BAND NEWS, SEPTEMBER 1950
1950 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 14 October 1950
The Headington Silver Prize Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The winners were: 1st Section: Bedford Trades Band, 2nd Section: Cwmavon District (Port Talbot), 3rd Section: Barton Town.
The Headington Band's third annual contest at Oxford on the 14th was the highlight of the month, 18 bands competed in the two sections, and enjoyable playing was heard, even if, in the opinion of the adjudicator, it did not reach a very high standard. Mr. Frank Wright took the place, of Harry Mortimer as adjudicator and was also one of the guest conductors at the evening concert, with Mr. Mortimer, when Faireys were the attraction. Of the bands in section I, about half played "Symphony in C", and I noticed a number of L.J. testpieces in Section II also, this section being bands' own choice. The Town Hall was well filled for the afternoon contest, and I understand that it was packed for the concert in the eveniug, but I was unable to stay for this part of the programme. It was a pleasure to meet many old friends again from many parts of the country, including several from the Wessex area. Southampton Albion advertised the show by marching through the centre of the city, and created a good impression by their smartness. Woodfalls held the final rehearsal at Abingdon, in the Borough Band's headquarters, and arrangements were made for them to have a snack before going on to Oxford. Secretary Giles and his committee are to be highly congratulated on a very finely organised contest and concert, which I trust will prove satisfactory from a financial standpoint also.
BRASS BAND NEWS, NOVEMBER 1950
Renaming the band
Tuesday 12 December 1950
The band Annual General Meeting hears a request to change the name of the band.
Oxford and District News
April 1951
Headington quartette party played well, in a slightly lower grade contest, would have certainly pulled off the first prize. Bandmaster Alder's young daughter has developed into a very fine horn player, and, in the opinion of a member of one of the bands at the contest, gave some of the best horn playing heard during the day. The Headington band played at Eynsham on a recent Sunday, and were assisted by one or two friends from Morris Motors, I understand.
BRASS BAND NEWS, APRIL 1951
Oxford and District News
May 1951
I hear that Headington are getting busy for their summer season's work, and are at Appleton on Whit-Monday.
BRASS BAND NEWS, MAY 1951
Oxford and District News
June 1951
Secretary Giles, of Headington, reports that, owing to the difficulty of getting a full side to practice, consequent upon overtime and shiftwork, they are not entering for any contests this season, but concentrating upon building up a good concert band. Their members' solo contest, held on May 5th, was again a most successful event, and Miss Joyce Alder, the junior champion of the Association, won first prize in senior solos, with O. Gorman, second. In the junior class, O. Gorman was first, with Miss Jean Marks (horn), second.
BRASS BAND NEWS, JUNE 1951
Oxford and District News
August 1951
On the 15th, Headington gave a concert in the Abbey House Grounds. At this event I noticed that Miss Joyce Alder, daughter of Bandmaster Alder, had transferred her affections to the cornet, upon which, after but five weeks' playing, she did well. We ought to hear more of her in the future.
BRASS BAND NEWS, AUGUST 1951
Oxford and District News
October 1951
News of other bands is scarce this month, save for a few late engagements. Headington fulfilled the last Parks engagement at Oxford, under their new name, I understand, on September 2nd.
BRASS BAND NEWS, OCTOBER 1951
1951 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 6 October 1951
The Headington Silver Prize Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The winners were: 1st Section: Finedon Old Band, 2nd Section: Unknown, 3rd Section: Barton Town.
OXFORD
Fourth Annual Brass Band Contest, promoted by Headington Silver Prize band, in Oxford Town Hall, 6th October. First section test piece, choice of "Gounod" (W. & R.) and two others ; Second section, choice of "Macbeth" (W. & R.) and two others; third section, choice of "Call of Youth" or "Poetic Fancies" (both W. & R.). Adjudicator, Messrs. H. Heyes and A. Ashpole. Concert by Foden's Motor Works band. Schedules and all details from Mr. G. H. GILES, 8 Coleridge Close, Cowley, Oxon.
Alder Resigns
Tuesday 6 November 1951
Jim Alder resigns through ill-health, succeeded by C. E. Challis.
Oxford and District News
January 1952
As a result of an extraordinary general meeting of the Headington Silver Prize Band, a few changes have taken place there, which I hope will be to the betterment of the band. Firstly they have now assumed their new title of "City of Oxford Silver," obtained as a result of long negotiations with the City Council, but this does not mean that the band are in any way subsidised by the council; they will continue as a public subscription band, as hitherto, but hope that the change of name may result in increased support. The second change has been of bandmaster, Mr. C.E. Challis, late of Pressed Steel, succeeding Mr. J. A. Alder, who has resigned owing to ill-health. I am glad to learn that, despite the increased expenses, they made a good profit on their contest.
BRASS BAND NEWS, JANUARY 1952
Oxford and District News
February 1952
From secretary Giles, of City of Oxford, I learn that they are again playing at the home matches of the Headington F.C., but on a collection basis, so I hope that the patrons are proving to be generous. The band are settling down well under B.M. Challis, and hope to be in a position to attend a few contests during the coming season. The Band President, Mrs. A. A. Collier has recently retired, and the band presented her with two commemorative plaques, in appreciation of her good services to the band.
BRASS BAND NEWS, FEBRUARY 1952
1952 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 4 October 1952
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The winners were: 1st Section: Hanwell Silver Band, 2nd Section: Yiewsley & West Drayton Silver Band, 3rd Section: Cinderford Town Band.
1953 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 3 October 1953
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The Munn & Felton Band give a concert. The winners were: 1st Section: Finedon Old Band, 2nd section: Kibworth Silver Band and 3rd Section: Marston Valley Band.
Oxford and District News
Monday 1 March 1954
A veteran of Headington Silver in the old days, Mr. Mark Edwards, and Mrs. Edwards, have just celebrated their Diamond Wedding; Mr. Edwards is now 83 years of age, and Mrs. Edwards a few years younger. I well remember Mark many years ago, when he was a drummer and librarian for the band, and am glad to hear that he is still active, even though his banding days are over.
BRASS BAND NEWS, NOVEMBER 1954
Oxford and District News
Monday 1 March 1954
City of Oxford finish up with a balance of over £195 on an income of some £865. I notice that collections at the matches of Headington F.C. form a nice part of the income, while carol takings by both the senior and junior bands were good. Congratulations to the band on their success at Aylesbury.
BRASS BAND NEWS, MARCH 1954
1954 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 25 September 1954
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The Munn & Felton Band give a concert. The winners were: Section A: Marston Valley Band, Section B: Markham & District Colliery Band and Section C: Lydbrook Silver Band.
Frans Wolff
Wednesday 1 December 1954
City of Oxford have as a visitor and cornet player M. Frans Wolff, from Apeldorn, near Arnheim sic, who is in England to study English. At home he is solo cornet of the Prinz Henrik Orchest, which plays regularly in the Loo, a Royal Palace. The band gave a programme on a recent Sunday at a circus which vistied the City, gave a concert at Cowley Congregational Church, and will be entering for the Association Contest in the New year.
BRASS BAND NEWS, DECEMBER 1954
1955 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 24 September 1955
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. The Section A contest was cancelled owing to a lack of entries. Winners were: Section B: Kettering Rifle Band and Section C: Dannemora Steel Works. The tests piece was Crown Cavalcade by P. Beechfield Carver.
1956 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 6 October 1956
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. Winners were: Section A: Upper Rhondda Workmen's Band, Section B: Kents Works Band. There was no Section C contest on this occasion.
Evening concert given by Munn & Felton's.
A new band hall
January 1957
Having previously been rehearsing in a Nissen Hut at Bedford House, Cowley Community Centre, the band members dismantle and re-erect a hut formerly used as a classroom at Milham-Ford School (in the grounds of Magdalen College School), for use as a bandhall.
Bernard Rose becomes president
1957
Dr Bernard Rose joins as president and occasional conductor. Rose was organist at Magdalen College School. He had also been a prisoner of war with Nobby Challis during Word War 2.
Tour of Holland
April 1957
The band embark on their first overseas tour. Visiting Holland, the tour included a trip to the cemetery at Arnhem. The are accompanied on the trip by the Mayor, Ald. W. J. Allaway.
Supporters club
June 1957
The City of Oxford Silver Band Supporters club is inaugurated.
1957 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 5 October 1957
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. Winners were: Section A: Aldbourne Silver, Section B: Spring Gardens Silver. There was no Section C contest on this occasion.
An Evening concert was given by Ferodo Works Band.
1958 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 4 October 1958
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. Winners were: Section A: West Bromwich Borough, Section B: Loughborough Borough. There was no Section C contest on this occasion.
1959 Oxford Annual Contest
Saturday 3 October 1959
The City of Oxford Silver Band hosts its annual contest at Oxford Town Hall. Winners were: Section A: Mynyddygarreg Silver, Section B: Lydney Town Silver. There was no Section C contest on this occasion.