SILSDEN Brass Band was distinctive by virtue of its white tunics, a uniform which commemorated its close Victorian links with the Lancashire Militia.

Indeed, nine Silsden bandsmen had gone out to the Ionian Islands with the Lancashire Militia band during the Crimean War.

Its outstanding bandmaster was Edward Newton (1838-1914), Silsden's once-famous musician, conductor, adjudicator, instructor, arranger and composer of hymns, anthems, polkas, valsettes and quick marches.

Such was his reputation that when in 1876 bandsmen bought him a gold watch, which was exhibited in a draper's shop window for a week before the presentation.

This photograph dates from about 1909. The old Cobbydaler who gave me the original 50 years ago remembered all the names: from left, back, E Clarkson, R Clarkson, F Tillotson, F Dixon, R Bradley, G Tillotson, middle, J Taylor, S Holgate, W Taylor, E Booth, J Clarkson, S Fortune, G Laycock, and front, J Vickers (conductor), E Verity, J Baldwin, T Green, A Townson, J Fortune and M Spencer.

Edwardian minutes of the Keighley Gala Committee, voting on which bands to engage, reveal the popularity of the Silsden Brass Band, which one year headed the poll with 44 votes. Marriner's got 36, Cowling 21, and Haworth eight. Nobody voted for the Keighley Concertina Band!