Rothwell Temperance Band
Encyclopedia
Rothwell Temperance Band (RTB) are a Championship Section brass band
in Yorkshire
. Although they do not rehearse in Rothwell
itself, they have strong connections with the town and hold many concerts for the local community.
The band were crowned Yorkshire Region Champions at St George's Hall in Bradford
on 8 March 2009.
in the band. As a result the Rothwell Temperance Band was founded in 1881. When the Temperance
Hall was built in 1904 one of the four cornerstones was inscribed with the following:
The Rothwell Model Band then became known as the Rothwell Old Band.
. The then "B" band retained the name Rothwell Temperance Band and is the current band.
In 2000 the Wallace Arnold (Rothwell) Band merged with the Yorkshire Imperial Band
, which for some time became the Yorkshire Imperial DUT (Rothwell) Band.
In the late 1990s the Band toured Norway, visiting Bergen and the surrounding area
Brass band (British style)
A British-style brass band is a musical ensemble comprising a standardised range of brass and percussion instruments. The modern form of the brass band in the United Kingdom dates back to the 19th century, with a vibrant tradition of competition based around local industry and communities...
in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. Although they do not rehearse in Rothwell
Rothwell, West Yorkshire
Rothwell is a market town on the River Dolphin in the south east of the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, situated between Oulton to the east, Belle Isle to the west, Woodlesford to the north east and Robin Hood to the south west. Swillington, Methley and Kippax are located...
itself, they have strong connections with the town and hold many concerts for the local community.
The band were crowned Yorkshire Region Champions at St George's Hall in Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
on 8 March 2009.
Formation
In the mid-19th century a band called the Rothwell Model Band existed in the town. Later, a dispute arose between the alcohol drinkers and the teetotallersTeetotalism
Teetotalism refers to either the practice of or the promotion of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices teetotalism is called a teetotaler or is simply said to be teetotal...
in the band. As a result the Rothwell Temperance Band was founded in 1881. When the Temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
Hall was built in 1904 one of the four cornerstones was inscribed with the following:
Laid by Thomas Blackburn in the name of the Rothwell Temperance Band. Established 1881.
The Rothwell Model Band then became known as the Rothwell Old Band.
Changing names
In 1999 the band was renamed the Wallace Arnold (Rothwell) Band, reflecting sponsorship by coach tour operator Wallace ArnoldWallace Arnold
Wallace Arnold was one of the UK's largest holiday motorcoach tour operators. It was founded in 1912 and was named after its founders Wallace Cunningham and Arnold Crowe. By 1980 it operated 290 coaches from its headquarters in Leeds, and owned a subsidiary based in Devon...
. The then "B" band retained the name Rothwell Temperance Band and is the current band.
In 2000 the Wallace Arnold (Rothwell) Band merged with the Yorkshire Imperial Band
Yorkshire Imperial Band
The Yorkshire Imperial Band, also known as the Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band and the Yorkshire Imps, is a brass band from West Yorkshire, England...
, which for some time became the Yorkshire Imperial DUT (Rothwell) Band.
Major contest successes
In true brass band style only top six placings are listed. For these and other contest results see the Results Archive section on 4barsrest.com.| Date | Placing | Contest | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 May 2009 | 1st | Grand Shield | Blackpool | Promoted back to British Open |
| 8 Mar 2009 | 1st | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | Qualified for National Finals |
| 11 Oct 2008 | 6th | National Finals (Championship Section) | Royal Albert Hall, London | Mybandsite.co.uk |
| 2 Mar 2008 | 4th | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | Qualified for National Finals |
| 26 May 2007 | 3rd | All England Masters International | Cambridge | |
| 28 May 2006 | 1st | All England Masters International | Cambridge | |
| 5 Mar 2006 | 4th | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | Qualified for National Finals |
| 18 Sep 2005 | 5th | British Open | Birmingham | |
| 8 May 2004 | 2nd | Grand Shield | Blackpool | Promoted to British Open |
| 7 Mar 2004 | 6th | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | |
| 3 May 2003 | 1st | Senior Cup | Blackpool | Promoted to Grand Shield |
| 2 Mar 2003 | 4th | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | |
| 29 Oct 2000 | 1st | Pontins (Championship Section) | Prestatyn | |
| 30 Sep 2000 | 1st | Swiss Open | Lucerne, Switzerland | They were only the second English band to take the title |
| 16 Oct 1999 | 6th | National Finals (Championship Section) | Royal Albert Hall, London | |
| 28 Feb 1999 | 3rd | Yorkshire Region (Championship Section) | Bradford | Qualified for National Finals |
Notable members
- Richard Marshall played cornetCornetThe cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
with the band in the early 1990s and is now principal cornet player with the Black Dyke BandBlack Dyke BandThe Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band has won many prizes and competitions over the years...
. - Michael Howley grew up playing euphoniumEuphoniumThe euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
with the band and has held the principal euphonium seat at several top bands including The Fairey BandFairey BandThe Fairey Band is a brass band based in Heaton Chapel in Stockport, Greater Manchester.Its name comes from Sir Richard Fairey and the Fairey Aviation Company, famous in later years for the Fairey Delta 2 aircraft - the first aircraft in level flight to exceed 1,000mph, and had an important...
, YBS and Brighouse and RastrickBrighouse and Rastrick Brass BandThe Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band was formed in 1881. It is based in Brighouse, in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.-History:The Brighouse and Rastrick Band is regarded by many as the best and most consistent ‘public subscription band’ in the world...
. - David Roberts (conductor) was principal cornet player with the band in his youth before playing with Yorkshire ImpsYorkshire Imperial BandThe Yorkshire Imperial Band, also known as the Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band and the Yorkshire Imps, is a brass band from West Yorkshire, England...
and Black Dyke BandBlack Dyke BandThe Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band has won many prizes and competitions over the years...
. He then returned to Rothwell to concentrate on conducting. - Lucy Beeson is a regular percussionist with the band. She competed in the final of the BBC Young Musician of the YearBBC Young Musician of the YearThe BBC Young Musician of the Year is a televised national music competition. It is broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Four biennially, despite the name, and hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
in 2004, having won the percussion class. - Labour Politician, James Normington, played cornet in the band for 7years.
Tours and performances
The band have featured several times on BBC Radio 2's Listen To The Band programme, using tracks from the band's CDs and having recorded sessions especially for broadcast.In the late 1990s the Band toured Norway, visiting Bergen and the surrounding area