The band plays on

MAIN point of interest when this photo was taken in 1923 was the Dunstable Excelsior Silver Prize Band, which had been making music in the town from as far back as 1865.

Today, the band is almost forgotten, but the distinctive sports pavilion seen in the distance is still very fresh in many people’s memories.

It stood on Waterlow’s sports ground, which was once a busy venue for football, cricket and hockey matches.

The famous printing firm, now closed, was a passionate supporter of its own sports teams and it’s probably true that job seekers were looked on particularly favourably by Waterlow’s if they had a sporting background.

The pavilion was quite a grand affair, large enough to accommodate dances as well as providing the necessary changing rooms. The sports field was well away from the factory, alongside the Watling Street and French’s Avenue, and is now an attractive housing estate.

Our colour photo shows the view today, looking down the new road, French’s Gate, towards the Watling Street in the direction of the pavilion site.

The Excelsior Band, whose members are seen in the 1923 photograph in ordinary clothes rather than their usual smart uniforms, was a focal point for most of the town’s major parades and events as well as its own concerts.

For many years its rehearsal room was in a disused (and refurbished) abattoir in St Mary’s Street, demolished when what is now the Wilkinson’s car park was provided.

The band then moved to premises in Priory Gardens but membership declined.

Ironically, its biggest audience was in 1960 when it performed in Today, a popular BBC TV programme, where band members were interviewed by presenter Derek Hart.

But the publicity did not attract extra membership and the band was wound up soon afterwards. Its story is told in detail in Anthony J. Ward’s book, Strike Up The Band.

The photo, which has become slightly creased during its 88 years, was loaned to Yesteryear by history society member Bernard Webb.

> Yesteryear is compiled by John Buckledee, chairman of Dunstable and District Local History Society