Utrick Ritson purchased half an army hut and on March 17th 1921 it was delivered to the village. It was placed next to the old Cricket Pavilion. It was set up as a space for Burnhope Silver Prize Band to practise; it was known as the Band Hut.
The band had been formed about 1913/14, with Mr. Bobby Robson and Mr. William Bennett in charge. It had started with pipes and flutes and was sponsored by the colliery owners. It was locally known as Billy Bennett’s Burnhope Brass Band. In the following years more instruments were added.
After winning a cup in their class at the National Championships in 1920, the name was changed to Burnhope Silver Prize Band. After that championship at Crystal Palace they were given silver instruments.
Billy Johnson born in 1930 in Burnhope, played in the band from the age of 6 years old. At 7 years old he played solo cornet at the Big Meeting in Durham. His uncle Jack Stobbs, also a Burnhoper was the band master at the time. The band uniform was black trousers and a red jacket with gold trimming, sponsored by the Miners’ Welfare. Billy also played in a dance band but had to give it up as he was “not allowed to serve two masters!”
In 1920, Burnhope Colliery Silver Prize Band consisted of more than 30 playing members. The President was colonel W.H. Ritson, the Vice-President was Mr. J. Snaith, and the conductor was Mr. Fred Wakeford.
Mrs Irene Oakland remembers her father, Walter Johnson, played the cornet in the band in 1920. He lived at 19 Pavilion Terrace. His sister Grace Heslop owned a grocery store in the village. Irene’s brother was born in Langley Terrace, and her sister Grace was born at White House Farm Cottages, Jaw Blades, in 1929. In 1923 the conductor was Harry Fieldsend, the bandsmen pictured were the Ore brothers, Tommy and Matt.
