Staffordshire Band

The Staffordshire Band can trace its roots back to before the turn of the last century, when it was known as the Walsall Wood Institute Temperance Band. In the 1920's the band fell on hard times and became bankrupt, but out of the ashes the Aldridge Colliery Silver Prize Band was formed and rehearsed in a large garage in Brookland Road, Aldridge. Their first radio broadcast was on the BBC in the 1930's. During the Second World War, the band joined with the Bloxwich British Legion and Bescot Bands to become the Walsall Home Guard Band. In 1954 the band was renamed the Aldridge Town Band and, with the help of a Councellor Owen, were promised uniforms and instruments. Success followed in 1956 when the band was placed 5th at the National Brass Band Championships held at the Royal Albert Hall, Nottingham (the records do not make clear in which Section the band played). A month later, due to economic circumstances, the Council withdrew its promise to provide uniforms and instruments, however in 1957 events change again and the Council are able to present new instruments at a concert at the BRD.