1926 :

The Band again made their mark at Crystal Palace gaining as in 1925 third prize in the Grand Shield and had five first prizes and four seconds at other contests.

This was the year of the General Strike which lasted about 26 weeks causing hardships in this area which were shared by the Bandsmen many of whom were miners.

The Band gave several concerts for local distress committees and Mr A Newton notes "hundreds of meals were given away at the Old Band Room and the fish and chip shops allotted each week a free meal day to everyone who cared to fetch them."

The Band treasurer at the beginning of 1926 was a staunch union man who felt compelled to resign from the Band when they continued to run buses to contests.

In October the accounts were signed by Arthur Newton as Treasurer. The sundry entries include an expenditure on "Candles for an outside practice on September 15th."

Among the Durham miners who migrated to Rothwell and became influential in the Band were Albert Portrey and Martin Roberts (together a solid Bb Bass section and companions in the Billiards Team) and Eddie Race (Band Secretary 1932).

Albert, his three sons, and brother Wilf played in the Temp. Band at various periods up to the 1939 war, whilst nephew Joe Portrey excelled as solo horn in the post-war Band and No. 1 quartet.

The Temperance Society minutes for 1929 record Martin's appointment as Financial Secretary. He also became Band Treasurer and devoted a lifetime to the Society and Band.