Historical Minutes
In 2025, our centenary year, the band was gifted two minute books dating from our earliest days. These books were kept as a record of meetings held by the committee, and we have digitised their notes as accurately as possible here for you to enjoy. Many thanks to the daughter of John and Winnie Brannan for the kind donation.
Stable Finances
Fundraising dances have enabled the band to pay off their debts.
Fundraising dances have enabled the band to pay off their debts.
Committee Meeting January 17th 1943
Present -: Cochrane, Thompson, Graham, Brown & 3 offs.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed.
Secretary read the balance sheet for the Dance held on Jan 8th which gave a clear balance of £9-9-4. Agreed that we accept the balance sheet.
Arrangement for Dance at Ellington Jan 23rd 1943. Agreed that we engage Cummings Band. Agreed that same committee men officiate as follows,
Doorkeepers
Secretary, J. Graham, J. Baker
Ticket sellers W. Thompson, W. Little, M. Chester, K. Gibbon
Spot prizes
Ladies. Secretary offered to supply this
Gents. J. Graham ʺ ʺ ʺ ʺ
As we were intending to supply refreshments the Sec appealed for some help in this matter, help be promised by several of the committee.
This concluded the meeting
W. Ball 31/1/43
Committee Meeting Jan 31st 1943
Chairman Mr W. Ball
Present -: Messers Graham, Lowdon, Baker, Thompson, Hall, Cochrane, Brown & 3 offs.
Minutes of previous meeting read & adopted.
Chairman read Balance sheet for Dance held in the Ellington Institute giving a Balance of £17=1=10 to the funds which was agreed as very satisfactory.
The chairman gave out that we had now had sufficient money in the funds to pay off the whole of the debt owing to the Midland Bank & that we thank the past, present committee & the band in general for their support & expressing regret that we could not owing to present war conditions celebrate the occasion.
Agreed that we write the Ashington Coal Co for a donation stressing the fact that we had paid our obligation to them & that the Instruments were in a very poor condition.
Towards raising the financial status of the band the Sec was instructed to issue the leaflets out to the committee with a view of raising the levies at the collieries.
Sec to write trustees of the band & thank them for their services which they had rendered in the past.
R Lowdon
This concluded the meeting
Committee Meeting Feb 20th 1943
Chairman Mr W. Ball
Present -: Lowdon, Graham, Hall & 3 offs
This meeting was called to arrange details for the Dance to be held March 5th at the Lynemouth Parish Hall.
It was agreed that the same committee act as attendants at the dance & that Sec arrange for a band & M. C.
Agreed that we raffle 50 cigarettes
R Lowdon
This concluded the meeting
Committee Meeting June 6th 1943 Welfare
Present were messers Hall, Cochrane, Graham, Brown & 3 officials
Chairman Mr R. Lowdon
This meeting was call to discuss the engaging of players for the contest to be held at N/C City Hall July 24th 1943.
It was agreed that we compete at the contest & secretary arrange for the engaging of the necessary players.
R. Lowdon
This concluded the meeting
General Meeting Aug 7th 1943
Chairman Mr W. Ball
Meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the application from the local Holidays at Home Committee for the Band to fulfill a weeks engagement on the miners holiday week.
It was decided that the secretary attend next committee meeting of the Holiday at Home & arrange terms.
Meeting adjourned till Wed Aug 11th 1943
R. Lowdon
GENERAL Meeting Nov 22nd 1943
Present Messers Hall, Cochrane, Lowdon, Graham, Thompson, Baker & Officials
Mr W. Ball not present Mr Lowdon took the chair.
This committee meeting was convened to discuss the coming Miners’ Contest. Mr W. Priestly Newbiggin engaged to play The Trombone had asked The Conductor Mr Lowdon to change the piece as he did not think he could manage it having to play for Newbiggin as well. Mr Lowdon said it was going to be difficult to worked another piece to contest form as it was just a fortnight for the contest. After discussion it was agreed unaminous that owing to the unsatisfactory state of affairs Bands being allowed to play Durham men that it was going to cost to much as we had not much chance of any recompense from it & that we withdrawn from the contest.
This concluded the meeting
W Ball
27/5/45