The band would like to say another huge congratulations to Glyn and Fodens as they become the National Champions just under two months after winning the British Open! Fantastic win. This means that Glyn and Fodens become Double CHampions - a rare milestone last acheived by the band 102 years ago! Also, well done to Richard Poole who won the best instrumentalist on the Soprano. Do we get a week off band?

In 2014, the band will celebrate its 125th anniversary for which it wants to put together an anniversary book.

But there’s the problem. Most of the band’s valuable records – papers and photographs – have disappeared and band officials are struggling to get material together for a book.

President Brian Boothroyd believes the records might well have been lost when the band club in Marsden Lane underwent major alterations over a number of years.

“During the war the basement was used by the Government for the storage of flour, which was transported by barge up the valley and then moved out some weeks later with another load taking its place,” said Brian.

“A lot of clearing out was done at the time,” he said.

Before the emergence of the Marsden Band in 1889, one of two ensembles had been in existence in the village, the most notable being the successful Holme Mills Band. And it was that group of musicians who formed the Marsden Band.

“If there is anyone with press clippings or photographs of the band in their possession, we would be delighted if we could have the loan of them for a short period,” said Brian. “Everything would be returned,” he added.

“We’ve persuaded Ron Massey, the brass band journalist and former Examiner features editor, to take on the job of putting the book together,” said Brian.

If you can help, Brian Boothroyd can be contacted at 1 Moorvale, Marsden, HD7