1904 :

The four Foundation Stones in the front of the old Temperance Hall, all apparently laid on October 15th 1904, record the establishment of the Band of Hope in 1872; the Temperance Hall in 1882; and the Temperance Band under the name of Thomas Blackburn in 1881. Therefore it may be appropriate to quote here an undated testimonial to Mr Blackburn from his colleagues:

An ADDRESS TO MR THOMAS BLACKBURN
Bandmaster of the
ROTHWELL TEMPERANCE PRIZE BRASS BAND

Dear Sir,
We the Members and Friends of the above Band, desire to testify our high appreciation of your ability as a Musician and Conductor; and ask your acceptance of this Address along with this splendid cornet, (subscribed by the Members of the Band and their Friends), as a token of our sincere respect and esteem. Your uprightness and courtesy since the formation of the Band, have impressed upon us the true and sterling worth of your character, and your skill and taste as a Musician are so admired by the members that they deem it only due to you, and hope that you may be spared long to labour in such a sphere of usefulness; wishing every good wish to yourself and your family.

We beg to remain, Dear Sir,
Yours sincerely on behalf of the Members and their Friends
W. Dacre, Chairman
J. Bulmer, Treasurer
C.H. Elliott, Secretary
T.Shearman, J.Ward, J.Smith, W.Lunn, C.Tiffany, William Nunns and Thomas Whitehead, Committee.

The Cornet was in use in the nineteen forties by Tom Blackburn's Great Grandson Philip Newton.