Jack Wilson’s Harmonica and Accordion Band, playing on the back of a truck in a Keighley Gala procession
MEMBERS of the Rialto Band had gained experience in Jack Wilson’s Harmonica and Accordion Band, seen here playing on the back of a truck in a Keighley Gala procession, probably in 1936 – Jack Wilson is standing up conducting.
The costumes reflect the Latin-American style popular at the time. Band member Billy Hensman’s mother made all their flared trousers.
The late Mr Hensman recalled that during the 1930s, there was a Keighley Accordion Club, which could muster as many as 50 piano-accordions in the Temperance Hall.
The photograph was taken by Oakworth Road newsagent, James Dewhirst, who used to make a practice of recording gala processions in the hope that participants would buy prints!
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