Brass Band 1910 and 1885
Wheatley Brass band outside the Red Lion in 1910.
Left to right: Mr Sturges, Joe Shorter, ?, John Sturges, Joe Smith, Mr Putt, Mr Clements, Mr Putt, Mr Shorter, Mr Putt, Jim Sturges, ‘Edgar’ Munt (kneeling).
A photo from 1885, sent to us by Sarah Wyatt, and with permission to use, from the collection of her father, is included with the following names by comparison with the 1910 ones. It may have been taken with The Elms (now Mulberry Court) in the background as the windows are similar.
Back row Joe Smith, ?, ?, ?, Mr Putt, Mr Sturgess, probably Jim Sturgess
Front row ?, Edgar Munt, ?, not known third from left back row in 1910
They appeared in newspaper reports as early as the 1840s. Also, in the 1880s they performed several times at Holton Park, in 1889 under the conductorship of Joseph Sturges. They are also mentioned in Rev. Elton's diary.