1883 : From the Rothwell Times

May 18th On Wednesday last the entire town was on the Qui Vive for it became known that the Temperance Band was about to show its admiration of Mr. Batty (a Temperance speaker) by accompanying him out of the town on his leaving Rothwell. The procession received the best wishes of the crowds who lined the route by which he passed.

June 29th The Temperance Band marched down to Methley last Monday, and after parading the pricipal streets of the town, proceeded to the Primitive Methodist School-room where they held a reformed drunkards’ meeting, the room being crowded in every part. Mr A Cripps occupied the chair, and 'experiences’ were given by members of the Band, detailing the benefits which the practice of temperance had brought them, as compared with their former style of life. As might be expected the addresses were both original and humorous, while the manifest advantages reaped were very clear to all who listened. The meeting was very successful and closed with the usual votes of thanks.

July 13th The village celebrated the passing by Parliament of a local Railyway Bill with scenes of wild excitement during which the instruments of the Temperance Band and the Model Band were 'collared’ and used to produce 'as inharmonious a noise as possible’.