The region of Oughtibridge has supported some sort of music making group for well over 100 years. The Band in its current state was formed in 1890. Throughout its history, the Band has supported local events such as Church Parades, Galas, Carol Concerts etc as well as taking the village name far and wide with their tours, engagements and contest performances.
The band is a competing band engaged in local and national brass bands contests. From 1960 to 1979, the band won 23 trophies. In more recent times the Band played in London (including at the Albert Hall) in the National Championships three times between 1980 and 1990, and in the 3rd Section National Finals in Torquay in 2002. After a period of re-building, the band pulled themselves up from the bottom of the 4th section to qualification to the National Championships of Great Britain and promotion to the 3rd section in 2015.
Although we were relegated back to the 4th Section in 2020, no Regional Championship was held in 2021 and our first Championship in this section resulted in a first place finish. Under the baton of current musical director John Hopkinson, the band has continued to progress, qualifying for the 3rd section National Finals in 2025 in only the band’s second appearance back at that level.
The Band has spent most of its history in the fourth and third sections, except for three appearances in section two in the early 1990s due to reorganisation. Our highest national placing is a 10th-place finish in the 3rd Section Finals in 2025.
Honours & selected results
National Finals 4th Section – 3rd (2023)
Yorkshire Area 3rd Section – 2nd (2025, 2002)
Yorkshire Area 4th Section – Champions (2023, 2022), 2nd (2015, 2000, 1985), 3rd (2016, 2007, 1990, 1973)
Pogson Bay Section B – Champions (2003)
NE Derbyshire Festival 4th Section – Champions (1985, 1984)
Horbury Victoria Contest Section B – Champions (1972)
Buxton Festival Section C – Champions (1971)
British Open Spring Festival Junior Cup – Champions (1968, 1964)
Halifax Contest Section 2 – Champions (1951)
