ALBION DOCKYARD SILVER BAND

The following information has mainly been taken from a newspaper article written in 1955 and information obtained by Ron Carr.

Proudly displayed on the headed paper used by the Albion Dockyard Silver Band is the note "National Finalists 1950, 1951, 1952" the brief summary of a record unique among bands throughout Britain.

It tells part of the story of the bands triumphant rise from 1942 when dockyard workers threw a "penny on the drum" on pay nights to help buy instruments, to 1954 when the band was one of the west's finest.

If one man can take credit for the Albion band's formation, it is the former secretary, Michael Softly. An accomplished muscian born in the north of England, the "home" of brass bands, he came to work in Bristol from Newcastle in 1926 to work in the dockyard. He had been playing one every instrument in a brass band since he was 10. In Bristol he speedily joined the Fishponds British Legion Band, then the Bristol NUR Band and won most of his 20 medals for solo trombone playing before the war.

In 1942 there was to be launching at the dockyard and a band was needed for the traditional 'Rule Britannia' as the vessel entered the water. Mr Softly and a group of his friends got together for the one occasion. When the launching was over, the idea of a dockyard band was born.

The firm of Charles Hill and Sons gave the idea its whole hearted support and lent the band £186 needed to buy the first dozen second-hand instruments. The band started by giving lunch-time concerts at the dockyard, and very popular they proved. Meanwhile the "penny on the drum" scheme was gradually repaying the borrowed money until, less than 12 months after its formation, the band stood firmly on its feet. Outside engagements followed, in Bristol parks and at flower shows and fetes. The band grew in reputation and in size from 12 to 19 or 20 players.

The band was "adopted" by the National Fire Service in Bristol as its honorary band. All the members became part-time fireman with NFS uniforms and it played at many of the city's parades, including the 1945 victory parade.

The first bandmaster was Charles Dixon who held the office for about 2 years, up to the time of his death. He was followed by Gilbert Yabsley, under whose direction great strides were made.

By 1950, when players leaving the disbanded St. John Ambulance Brigade Band had swollen the numbers to 30 or more, a great competition career was ready to begin.

The band had met success already. in 1946 it won a regional championship at Exeter and played at the National Finals in Belle Vue, Manchester. It was in 1950 when its unique climb to fame began when it won the regional championship in the 4th section. in 1951 it was again regional champions when it won the 3rd section, beating the 2nd place band by 12 points. in 1952 Herbert Sevier was appointed bandmaster and the band won the regional championships in the 2nd section. In 1953 the band was placed 4th in the championship section.

The band played at nearly all the launches at the Albion Dockyard since 1942 until its merger with the Potterswood Band in 1966. At one of them, the launching of a frigate by Queen Mary, Mr Softley was presented to Her Majesty.

The uniform in 1955 was a smart blue one, similar to naval dress, with the house flag of the Charles Hill company, carrying a blue star, as the cap badge.

One player in 1955 came from oversea - Albert Donovan, who came to Britain from the Virgin Islands in 1940 and could not get a passage home again. He played flugel horn and later played in the Bristol Aeroplane Company Works Band.

In the later years before the merger with the Potterswood band the conductor was Jock Scott. Both of his sons played in the band and one of his sons, Jim Scott, was the conductor at the "Unveiling of the Keel Ceremony" for the Medway Queen held on Saturday 6th June 2009. Jim started work for Charles Hill at the Albion Dockyard in 1955 as a riveters mate.