Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 2nd September, 1932

Band Festival

To celebrate the 48th anniversary of the inauguration of the Salvation Army in Wombwell the Castleford Salvation Army Band visited the town last week-end.

They arrived on Saturday afternoon and after being entertained to tea by the bandsmen of Wombwell assisted in the usual street meetings. On Saturday evening they gave a performance in the citadel before a good company under the chairmanship of Mr. G. Roberts, a local officer.

The items included Bandsman B. Thompson, cornet solo. “Hosanna”: Bandsman G. Tonks, recitation. “Those Good Old Hymns”; Bandsman P. Freeman, mouth organ solo, “The Belfry”; Band secretary L. Sexton. vocal solo, “Oh, ‘Twas Love?’ The band had a large audience at a festival of music in the Empire on Sunday evening when Mr. G. H. Hirst, M.P. presided, supported by Messrs R. Preston and T. Newsome. The band pieces were again interspersed with solo items. Bandmaster C. Bannister recited, Bandsman W. Thompson gave a fine euphonium solo, “Long. Long Ago.’ and the Wombwell Songsters sang “0 Praise the Lord.”

Mr. Hirst gave reminiscences of the early days of the Salvation Army in the district, and paid tribute to the self-sacrificing work among people who were most in need of spiritual help. He spoke of expeditions to the north during the ’93 coal strike, and recalled with gratitude the hospitality extended to miners by the Salvation Army. The Army band often played outside his house at Darfield. and he admired their stirring music.

Messrs. Preston and Newsome also paid tribute to the work of the hand in ‘ support of hospitals.

The visiting band was conducted by Bandmaster Colley. and the demonstration was under the direction of Adjutant S. Bourne (picture) , who took charge of the work at Wombwell recently in succession to Adjutant and Mrs. H. Davis.