This list is compiled from Gavin Holman, Brass Bands of the British Isles, a historical directory. 1st ed. 2018 (GH019-brassbandsofbritisles.pdf) with additional comments in italics. Note that this list does not include the military bands, such as those of the Bridgwater Rifle Corps, or the West Somerset Yeomanry. There is mention of the ‘Borough Band’ in the newspaper obituary for Thomas Whitehead but it is unclear if this was an orchestra or dance band, rather than a brass band, so is omitted for now.
Bridgwater Amateur Christy’s Brass Band (often abbreviated to the ‘B.A. Christy Band’): see Bridgwater Christy’s Brass Band below
Bridgwater Christy’s Brass Band – Active from the 1880s to the 1950s. They originated as the ‘Bridgwater Amateur Christy Minstrels’ by 1879, based on the Christy’s Minstrels, but dropped the minstrelry in the following decade. It raised money for the new town bridge in 1883 by providing a concert for the annual carnival. They also raised money for the Carnival Fund. Edward John Tout (1857-1931), according to the Central Somerset Gazette in 1931, was bandmaster of the Bridgwater Christy Band for over 50 years. Will Locke’s book ‘Times Remembered of Bridgwater in the 1920s and 1930s’ notes that the bandmaster in 1938 was Vic Tout.
Bridgwater Congregational Sunday School Brass Band – There is just one mention in the Taunton Courier of a performance in aid of this band in April 1892.
Bridgwater Imperial Band – Formed in the 1920’s but sadly demised 2004. Members of the S.W.B.B.A., they competed in the third section as late as about 1977. It was originally a works band, possibly May and Hassell Ltd, timber importers. Will Locke’s book ‘Times Remembered of Bridgwater in the 1920s and 1930s’ noted that the bandmaster then was Stanley Evans, and that Miss Ivy Evans ‘played in the band for over 50 years and at a well-known contest was the only woman amongst over 1500 bandsmen’.
Bridgwater King Street Chapel Wesleyan Mission Band – Active between 1890 and 1913
Bridgwater Men’s Own Band – active around 1905. Men’s Own Brass bands were formed in the late 19th century and early 20th century by and for working-class men, usually by community organizations such as the Y.M.C.A., the P.S.A. (Pleasant Sunday Afternoon) Brotherhood, chapels and churches. One of the Men’s Own Bands played at a service at the Town Hall in August 1917 to mark the third anniversary of the outbreak of war. [i]
Bridgwater Star of Temperance Brass Band – active in 1884 to 1887. The bandmaster, Thomas Whitehead (1842-1927), greengrocer of Northgate, advertised in 1885 for engagements. “Uniform and newest music.” Thomas was a cornet player and bandmaster in Bridgwater for over fifty years. For many years he was the conductor of the old Borough Band. [ii]
Bridgwater Primrose League Brass Band – Founded in spring 1889, conductor Mr Alfred Bradbeer (1845-1910 – for a biography see the website of the Friends of the Wembdon Road Cemetery). First public appearance on 22nd August 1889 (newspaper references 1889-1896). The Primrose League was founded in 1883 to promote conservative principles.
Salvation Army Brass Band – active on their arrival in Bridgwater in 1880.
Jillian Trethewey and Clare Spicer, 17 March 2026