Newtown Silver Band has been serving the community of Newtown and beyond since 1880 at historical events, carnival processions, and many more cultural functions, as well as the annual armistice parade and remembrance.

This notice appeared in the Montgomeryshire Express & Radnor Times on the 24th of August, 1880.

NEWTOWN BRASS AND REED BAND

TRUSTEES Joseph Henry Blythe, Esq.J.P.Hendidley Lewis Lewis, Esq. J.P. Newtown Hall Richard Lloyd., Esq. J.P. Plas yn Dre COMMITTEE Mr. G.H Morgan, Mr. W.P Philips, Mr. W.G Edwards, Mr. W.H Humpherys, Mr. J. Hudson, Mr. J.W Swain, Mr. Ed. Gittins.

Band Instructions: Conductors Mr. W.P. Philips and Mr. Joseph Hudson

It was intended to form a first-class brass & reed band in Newtown, and several well-attended meetings have been held for its organisation. Such a band has been long required both as a means of training young men in instrumental music and for the pleasure and edification of the inhabitants. The band will comprise 40 to 50 members.

On a winter evening in 1880, around forty men of various walks of life met under the leadership of Mr. W.P. Philips, who owned Philips Music Salon in Broad Street. But the majority knew little, if anything, about music. Mr. Philips taught the young enthusiasts the rudiments of music.

The first president was Mr. Lewis Lewis J.P., one of the owners of Newtown Tannery.

By 1888 the band became known as the “Newtown Prize Band,” and at that time the reed instruments were still played, but it was decided to purchase silver-plated instruments, and the band was re-christened the Newtown Silver Band.

1897 saw a record number of engagements for the band, which became attached to the newly formed voluntary corps by Capt. Edward Pryce-Jones, who was urged to form a battalion of volunteers for the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was established in Montgomeryshire, and their headquarters were in Newtown, which then became the 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers Headquarters. The band, although attached to the battalion, was still known as the Newtown Silver Prize Band. Later that year Major Edward Pryce-Jones also became a trustee for the band.

During 1924 there was much interest in finding a bandroom they could call their own; a sacred concert was held at the Scala Theatre. This was given in aid of the funds for the new band room. The land in Back Lane was part of the Arbuthnot Brisco Newtown Hall estate, which was donated along with the bricks from David Davies of Llandinam. The Bandroom was opened on the 19th of September, 1925.

By 1939, just after the Second World War had begun, the band’s instruments were put in storage only to be taken out by a young enthusiast, Idris Owen, keen to learn to play an instrument under the leadership of Mr. Alf Corfield, and was part of a young band to be formed that included women for the first time. The following year, 1940, also marked the Silver Band’s Diamond Jubilee.

The band had led the 7th Royal Welch Fusiliers to the start of WW2 and for the celebrations of the troops’ return in 1945.

Newtown Silver Band has added various important chapters in the long, colorful history and heritage, one being their conductor, Mr. Harry Leach in early part of 1958 the band had won the Daily Herald Championships. Forty-year-old Police Sergeant Leach, Newtown Silver Band’s conductor, had led the band, which included his 14-year-old daughter Cynthia and his 65-year-old uncle Seymour Leach, to become the best band in their class.

By the 1960’s the band was depleted through the loss of members leaving the town to find work elsewhere, but the financial situation was still quite good. In the 1970’s Alan Breese won the best soloist in a competition as the band’s soprano cornet player. In January 1975 Alf Corfield died; he had been a member of the band since 1922 and held every office, including 12 years as conductor. In November 1975 there was another great loss to the band when Harry Leach passed away. Harry had inspired many young players of the band and been a member player and conductor of the band for fifty years. Harry joined the band in 1925 when his father and uncle were members of the band. Harry’s children Cynthia, Patricia, and John, and his grandsons Christopher and David, then went on to play in the band. Two of Harry’s pupils are still playing members of the band today, giving over 100 years’ service between them to the band and to the community of Newtown.

As the band took part in many competitions and celebrated their centenary band member and player Philip B Evans wrote the band Centenary History Book which raised funds for the band.

In December 1983 the band appointed their principal cornetist, Steve Edwards, to the position of musical director. The band went on to achieve unprecedented success for the next forty years under the leadership of Steve, winning the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh regional titles on many occasions, On two occasions playing at the Royal Albert Hall In London, Steve handed the baton over in 2024 and remains a playing member of the band.

The band has fulfilled many engagements in Newtown, with the aims being to play for and entertain the people of the town and surrounding area.

The band continues to thrive and celebrate with their 145th anniversary in 2025 and with the centenary of their bandroom, which received a Heritage Plaque from the Newtown Local History Group. Newtown Silver Band website can be viewed  HERE