Past Concerts and Events - 1950s

Details on this page were mostly extracted from correspondence kept by Eric Turner, who took over being band secretary from Mr Langridge in June 1951, and kept the post until 198?. The correspondence will soon be lodged with Gravesend Library. This list of concerts and events is incomplete, if you know details of any concerts not included here please contact us. During the 1950s the band played for many parades, marching along in the procession. Generally these were not paying jobs but the organisers covered expenses for extra musicians and for transport, and occasionally supplied refreshments. The band often hired coaches from Maidstone & District for out of town concerts e.g. Rochester, Gillingham, Dartford, this practice continued to the mid 1970s. In some cases the band were not paid for local authority concerts but were allowed to charge for seating and have a collection from the audience e.g. Gravesend in 1952. Many band members worked half or all day on Saturdays and were from out of town, so the band had to turn down a number of offers of Saturday events e.g. Regatta days. Many of the "Bandtime" concerts were mentioned in advance in the Gravesend Reporter, and were also reported upon afterwards. The articles were written by the band secretary Eric Turner and sent to the paper, some were edited before inclusion.

1950	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	29/01/1950	Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend
	02/1950	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March, 1949: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. This was the first post-war statement. the Mayor and Corporation had granted the band £250 which was used to purchase new uniforms. The band were specially selected to attend the County Rally of the British Legion at Tonbridge, and were warmly complimented on their bearing and performances. The band attended the Mayor's Church Parade, the British Legion, Old Contemptibles Association, R.A.F. Association and R.A.M.C. Association Parades, also concerts at St. James's Hospital, and some other engagements outside the town.
Mon	24/04/1950	2 practices a week, Monday and Thursday. Practice room temporarily moved from Milton Chantry, which was to be renovated, to Gravesend Sea Cadet Corps Hut (which was very near by at the sea school in Commercial Place) on Wednesday evenings 19.30 - 21.30. Move was due to be until late June but the band reoccupied the building while works were still going on in late April.
Sun	30/04/1950	Fort Gardens, Gravesend. For Mayor's Almshouses Extension Fund (Alderman P.E.Lines J.P.) Fort Gardens were closed at 17.00, gates opened at 18.00 and concert started at 18.30. Weather was bad but the concert raised £8/-/6 for the fund.	18.30
Sat	13/05/1950	May Day celebrations, Gravesend. Postponed from 06/05/1950 due to bad weather
Sun	21/05/1950	Festival Of Youth dedication service Fort Gardens, or in the Super Cinema opposite if weather inclement.	15.30
Sun	04/06/1950	Mayors Church Parade. From Market Square to St George's Parish Church	10.15
Sun	mid 06/1950	AGM. Normally April but delayed due to work at the Chantry	19.30
Sun	25/06/1950	Fort Gardens, Gravesend
	07/1950	Royal British Legion Annual Parade at Canterbury Cathedral.
	07/1950	New bass player would like to join the band, but also needs a job. Band corresponds with the council in an attempt to get the musician a job as a labourer.
Sun	16/07/1950	Castle Gardens, Rochester
Sun	17/09/1950	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	18.30
Sun	12/11/1950	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
	12/1950	Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend
1951	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	1951	First "Bandtime" concert at Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend
	02/1951	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March, 1950: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band were specially selected to attend British Legion Parades at Preston Hall and other places. The band attended the Mayor's Church Parade, Old Contemptibles Association, and R.A.M.C. Association Parades, the May Day and Festival of Youth Parades, and also concerts at St. James's Hospital and other engagements outside the town.
Sun	02/1951	St James' Hospital, Gravesend
Sun	29/04/1951	Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend. Benefit for a band member who was losing his sight.	19.00
Sun	06/05/1951	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	19.00
Mon	14/05/1951	Castle Gardens, Rochester	19.30
Sat	19/05/1951	May Day Festival, Gravesend	14.00
Sun	27/05/1951	Mayor's Church Parade
Sun	27/05/1951	Festival Of Youth Service, Gravesend
Sun	17/06/1951	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	19.00
Sun	29/07/1951	Royal British Legion Annual Parade at Canterbury Cathedral. The band played both inside the Cathedral and outside for the parade. They led the parade off, marched past the saluting base where Lord Mountbatten took the salute, then stopped and played for other parade members to march past, finally they then joined the end of the parade followed by Lord Mountbatten who complimented the band on their playing. Orpington band also attended the parade. Should this be 1950 - see annual report 03/1951	13.35
Sun	05/08/1951	Gillingham Park	15.00
Sun	02/09/1951	Royal Army Medical Corps Association Gravesend Branch Annual Parade and Service (at 11.00). "As in past years"!	morning
Sun	16/09/1951	Royal Air Forces Association Battle of Britain Week Memorial Parade and Service. Lead band in the parade to St Georges Church, and marchpast. Service at 11.00.	18.30
Sun	16/09/1951	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	18.30
Sun	16/11/1951	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	11/11/1951	Procession from Milton Barracks to Gravesend War Memorial for annual Remembrance Service	10.25
Sun	09/12/1951	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Tue	18/12/1951	Carols at Gravesend Rotary Club Christmas Tree in Woodville Gardens, Gravesend	19.45 - 20.30
1952	Date	Venue	Time
	02/1952	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1951: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band were specially selected to attend British Legion Parade and Church Service at Canterbury in July. The band had the honour of playing for the whole of the March-Past. Lord Mountbatten congratulated the band on their playing and deportment. The band attended Church Parades for Mayor's Sunday, British Legion, Old Contemptibles Association, and "Battle of Britain Sunday". The band also took part in May Day and Festival of Youth Parades, gave concerts at St. James's Hospital and other engagements outside the town. A concert was run at the Clarendon Hotel in December 1950 which was successful both musically and financially. The Band Committee were concerned at the lack of new recruits and asked if any subscribers had sons or knew of anyone interested in music they be put in touch with the Band which had instruments available and were willing to coach the boys along.
Thu	21/02/1952	St James' Hospital, Gravesend	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	20/04/1952	British Legion Gravesend, Northfleet and District Branch Pension Appeal Parade. March from Gravesend Clock Tower to Majestic Cinema, plus the National Anthem in the Cinema	10.40
Sun	27/04/1952	Old Contemptibles' Association Gravesend Branch Annual Church Parade (St George's Day). March from Parrock Street to St James' Church	10.30
Sat	10/05/1952	May Queen Festival and hymn 726 from Hymns Ancient And Modern, Gravesend	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	08/06/1952	The band should have played at Hesketh Park, Dartford. However as no confirmation was received from Dartford Council the band did not attend.	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	15/06/1952	Fort Gardens, Gravesend. Gravesend Council supplied deck chairs, band seating, amplification and covered the cost of setting these out. They allowed the band to charge 6d per deck chair and to pass round collection boxes rather than paying a fixed fee.	19.00 - 21.00
Thu	19/06/1952	AGM	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	06/07/1952	The band should have played at Fort Gardens, Gravesend, however the band had to cancel at short notice due to having less than 20 players available. 9 members were on holiday and no deputies were available from other local bands due to them having concerts.	19.00 - 21.00
Thu	10/07/1952	Only 3 members turned up for practice.	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	27/07/1950	Castle Gardens, Rochester	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	17/08/1952	"Marching and Waltzing" "Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend. The program alternated between marches and waltzes.	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	31/08/1952	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	14/09/1952	Hesketh Park, Dartford (rescheduled from 08/06/1952)	17.00 - 19.00
Sun	21/09/1952	Royal Air Forces Association Church Parade for Battle of Britain Sunday. Parade from 17 Overcliffe to St James' Church for a service, then parade to Gravesend Clock Tower for a march past.
	10/1952	Played for a floodlight match at Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club
Sun	12/10/1952	Co-Operative Hall for the Gravesend branch of Manor House Hospital
Sun	09/11/1952	Parade from Milton Barracks (10.25) to Gravesend War Memorial (10.40) for annual Service of Remembrance	10.25
Sun	16/11/1952	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.30 - 21.30
1953	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	20/01/1953	Band strength 27 + 8 learners. Includes flute and piccolo, brass & reed not military. The band supplies instruments for many members and learners are assessed at the end of the school summer holiday and if they are not improving the instrument is reassigned to another willing youngster.
Sun	22/02/1953	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Thu	26/02/1953	St James' Hospital, Trafalgar Road, Gravesend. Annual concert for patients.
Sun	26/04/1953	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	24/05/1953	Mayoral Procession - cancelled. Normally on the first Sunday after the Mayoral election (Mayor's Sunday), there was a procession from Market Square to St. George's Church Chapel Of Unity, however due to the day being Whit Sunday so many of the organisations normally in the parade were away on camp for the weekend.	10.15
Sun	24/05/1953	Central Park, Dartford (Whit Sunday)	19.00 - 21.00
Sat	30/05/1953	Parade from the RAF Club, Overcliffe, Gravesend (may have been to Woodlands Park, band correspondence mentions a parade but doesn't link it with this.)	14.15
Sun	31/05/1953	Procession of witness. Correspondence with Rev D E Benbow Vicar of Christchurch, Old Road East.	Evening
Tue	02/06/1953	Coronation Day Concerts, Fort Gardens, Gravesend. (The band were approached by a number of local authorities but chose to play for their home town. Weather was wet.)	Afternoon
Tue	02/06/1953	Coronation Day Concerts, Fort Gardens, Gravesend. (The band were approached by a number of local authorities but chose to play for their home town. Weather was wet)	Evening
Sat	06/06/1953	St James' Hospital, Gravesend.
Sun	12/06/1953	Gillingham Strand	15.00 - 17.00
Sun	19/07/1953	Castle Gardens, Rochester	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	02/08/1953	Gillingham Strand	15.00 - 17.00
Sun	/09/1953	Royal Air Forces Association church parade and march past for Battle of Britain Sunday.
	/10/1953	First time playing on the pitch at an evening floodlight match at Gravesend and Northfleet Football Club. Play for half hour before kick off, and during the half-time interval.	evening
Sat	24/10/1953	Concert for Manor House Hospital, Gravesend Branch (probably at the Co-Operative Hall)
Sun	08/11/1953	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
1954	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	17/01/1954	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
	02/1954	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1953: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band ran their second season of six concerts at the Clarendon Hotel in the winter months with much of the programmes having been formed from request items. The band attended engagements outside the town, concerts in the Fort Gardens, floodlight matches at Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club, and had been very busy due to 1952 being the Coronation year. The band attended Church Parades, Battle of Britain Sunday, Armistice Sunday and Annual Parades of the Ex-Servicement's organisations, and concerts for St. James's Hospital and the Gravesend Branch of Manor House Hospital. Eight members from the learners class formed prior to the previous Annual Statment had joined the main band bringing the band strength to 35, the strongest it has been for some considerable years.
	/02/1954	At least 2 evening floodlight matches at Gravesend and Northfleet Football Club. Play for half hour before kick off, and then during the half-time interval. the band played for 5 matches from October 1953 to March 1954.	evening
Sun	28/02/1954	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	03/1954	Bass drum fully overhauled (stripped, repainted, varnished, roped etc.) The name painted on the drum was changed from "Gravesend Town Band" to "Gravesend Borough Band".
Wed	31/03/1954	Practice at St. Johns Ambulance Hall, Robina Avenue, Northfleet	evening
Sun	04/04/1954	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sat	15/05/1954	Forecourt of the Promenade Cafe for the homecoming of Her Majesty the Queen from her 6 month post Coronation tour of the Commonwealth. The Town Clerk wrote to the employers of all members who normally worked on a Saturday morning and asked for a "leave of absence" for them so they could play. One band member lost a mornings pay which the Council paid as expenses.	morning
Sat	22/05/1954	May Queen Parade	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	30/05/1954	Mayor's Sunday (Councillor J.H.Taylor). Mayoral procession and Church parade from Market Square to St.George's Chapel of Unity
Sun	13/06/1954	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	evening
Sun	11/07/1954	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	evening
Sun	08/08/1954	Fort Gardens, Gravesend	evening
Sun	29/08/1954	Central Park, Dartford	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	25/07/1954	Gillingham
Sun	22/08/1954	Gillingham
Sun	19/09/1954	Royal Air Forces Association Battle of Britain Sunday (at one of St. James' or St George's Church)
Sun	26/09/1954	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend. In aid of the Veterans "New Building Fund" for Clarence Place.	19.15 - 21.15
Mon	08/11/1954	Gravesend & Northfleet vs Racing Club de Calais floodlit match	19.10 - 19.30 20.15 - 20.30 (interval)
Sun	14/11/1954	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
Sun	14/11/1954	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
1955	Date	Venue	Time
1955		Mayors "Old Tyme" entertainment for the old people. Market Hall, Gravesend.
	02/1955	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1954: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band ran their third season of six concerts at the Clarendon Hotel in the winter months, the proceeds from the first concert £10 10s. 0d were given to the "Veterans Building Fund". The band attended engagements outside the town, concerts in the Fort Gardens, floodlight matches at Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club, Church Parades, Battle of Britain Sunday, Armistice Sunday and Annual Parades of the Ex-Servicement's organisations, and a concert at St. James's Hospital. The band strength was 30.
Sun	06/02/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	06/03/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Thu	10/03/1955	St. James' Hospital, Gravesend. Annual concert.	19.30 - 21.00
Sun	17/04/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	05/06/1955	Mayor's Sunday. Mayoral procession and Church parade from Market Square to St.George's Chapel of Unity
Thu	14/07/1955	Annual General Meeting	19.30 - 21.30
Sun	31/07/1955	Gillingham Strand	15.00 - 17.00
Sat	06/08/1955	Coach from Gravesend to Elmers End (26 people from the Co-Op, all other band coaches were for 48 people from opposite the Sea School, Commercial Place. Could this be a band Social?)
Sun	07/08/1955	Central Park, Dartford	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	21/08/1955	Gillingham Strand	15.00 - 17.00
Sun	18/09/1955	Royal Air Forces Association Battle of Britain Sunday parade and service at St. James' Church at 11.00	morning
Sun	02/10/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	< 11/10/1955	Royal Army Medical Corps Association, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Tue	01/11/1955	Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club. Floodlight match vs Grays Athletic.	19.00 - 19.30 20.15 - 20.30
Fri	04/11/1955	Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club. Floodlight match.	19.00 - 19.30 20.15 - 20.30
Sun	06/11/1955 ? 2nd Sunday=13	Parade from Milton Barracks to Gravesend War Memorial, Clarence Place for Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
Sun	13/11/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	25/11/1955	Band dance and social for 84 people at the Masonic Hall, Gravesend	evening
Sun	11/12/1955	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
1956	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	22/01/1956	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	29/01/1956	Concert at Gordon Schools, Gravesend. In aid of the Mayor of Gravesend's fund for old people. Run by Gravesend Light Orchestra in association with other local organisations.	19.15 - 21.15
	02/1956	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1955: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band ran their fourth season of concerts at the Clarendon Hotel in the winter months under the heading of "Bandtime", the concerts were well attended even in bad weather. Mr D.W.Turner A.R.C.M. ex-band member and Bandmaster of the Royal Scots Greys was guest conductor at one of the concerts. The band attended engagements outside the town, but did not have the opportunity to play any concerts in the Fort Gardens. Floodlight football matches were played for for Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club, although during a February matc valves on some of the brass instruments froze up due to the extreme cold. The band attended Church Parades, Battle of Britain Sunday, Armistice Sunday and Annual Parades of the Ex-Servicement's organisations, plus a concert at St. James's Hospital and, along with three other societies, played a concert in aid of the Mayor's Charities. The band had 32 members plus five brass learners, and 6 woodwind learners, the number of learners being limited by the number of instruments available.
	02/1956	Brass instruments valves froze up while playing for a floodlight match at Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club.	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	26/02/1956	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Thu	08/03/1956	St. James' Hospital, Gravesend. Annual concert.	19.30 - 21.00
Sun	08/04/1956	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sat	12/05/1956	May Queen Festival, Gravesend. Position 30, head of part III of the procession.
Sat	20/05/1956	Central Park, Dartford.	19.00 - 21.00
Sun	29/07/1956	Gillingham
Sun	05/08/1956	Gillingham
Sun	12/08/1956	Gillingham
Sun	19/08/1956	Gillingham
Sun	11/11/1956	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
1957	Date	Venue	Time
	02/1957	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1956: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band ran their fifth season of concerts at the Clarendon Hotel in the winter months under the heading of "Bandtime". The concerts were well attended until fuel rationing curtailed bus services. The band attended engagements outside the town, Dartford Park, Gillingham Strand, and at Canterbury Cathedral for the British Legion. The band attended Church Parades, Battle of Britain Sunday, Armistice Sunday and Annual Parades of the Ex-Servicement's organisations, plus a concert at St. James's Hospital. The band did not play at the Fort Gardens in Gravesend as the Council entertinments program did not include Sunday evening concerts. The band had 36 members plus seven brass learners numbers being limited by the number of instruments available.
Sun	07/07/1957	Gillingham Park	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	28/07/1957	Gillingham Strand	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	11/08/1957	Gillingham Strand	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	01/09/1957	Gillingham Strand	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	10/11/1957	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
1958	Date	Venue	Time
Sun	01/06/1958	Mayor's Sunday. Mayoral procession and Church parade from Market Square to St.George's Chapel of Unity
Sun	09/1958	Royal Air Forces Association Battle of Britain Sunday parade and church service	morning
	10/1958	Laying-up Ceremony for the old King's Colour of the Gravesend Branch of the Royal British Legion at Christ Church.
Sun	12/10/1958	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	09/11/1958	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service	10.30 - 11.45
Sun	07/12/1958	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
1959	Date	Venue	Time
	02/1959	From the Band's Annual Statement of Accounts to March 31st, 1958: The band was called "Gravesend Borough Band" and practiced at The Chantry, Commercial Place. The Bandmaster was Mr. A.H.Townsend. The band ran their seventh season of concerts at the Clarendon Hotel in the winter months under the heading of "Bandtime". Jennifer Gillingham, an honorary member of the band, passed an audition for Solo Cornet in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as well as playing solo cornet for the Borough Band, Northfleet Silver Band and in the Gravesend Girls's Grammar School Orchestra. The band attended Church Parades, Battle of Britain Sunday, Armistice Sunday, plus an annual concert at St. James's Hospital for patients. The band played at the Fort Gardens in Gravesend after a lapse of several years and also attended engagements at Gillingham Park and Strand. The band had 28 members in spite of difficulties and National Service.
Sun	15/02/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
	03/1959	St. James' Hospital, Gravesend. Annual concert.	19.30 - 21.00
Sun	15/03/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	26/04/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	14/04/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	14/08/1959	Gillingham Strand	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	23/08/1959	Gillingham Strand	14.30 - 16.30
Sun	11/10/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15
Sun	08/11/1959	Gravesend War Memorial Remembrance Service. Not in parade due to reduced numbers of musicians.	10.30 - 11.45
Sun	06/12/1959	"Bandtime" Royal Clarendon Hotel, Gravesend	19.15 - 21.15