1931 : Honor and Glory
A 'sixth’ prize in Championship company was won at the Internal Brass Band Contest in Glasgow playing as “own choice” Alec Owen’s arrangement of Rossini’s works.
Black Dyke won the contest with their Wagner selection “Bayreuth” but Rothwell Temperance took first prize in the march section.
Appropriate to the Fiftieth year of the band’s foundation, and their peak of achievement in contesting, was the performance at Crystal Palace celebrated in the following abbreviated newspaper report:-
“A 'Victory’ concert took place in the Picture Palace at Rothwell on Sunday November 1st in honour of Rothwell Temperance Band winning the third prize in the Championship section at the Crystal Palace contest. Mr Wm Lunn, M.P., acted as chairman, and his address to the audience stated that Rothwell Temperance had won many honours besides those at the Crystal Palace in many parts of the Kingdom, and he hoped that they would gain a step higher next time at the Palace. They would all be pleased if they could win the great trophy, but they would be gratified even with a step higher at a time.”
The band then played the Crystal Palace testpiece, “Honour and Glory”, for which they were encored.
The Temp. Band made a series of successful visits to the Cotswolds town of Fairford and in 1931 gained 1st prize with special awards for individuals plus £3 for being the Band travelling the longest distance.
The venue of the Whit Monday Sunday School engagement became Meltham near Huddersfield and continued until 1965.
In December a broadcast from Manchester gave rise to an adverse newspaper review which provoked a strong response from Brass Band adjudicator James Brier. His letter is quoted here in about half its original length:
THE BRITISH BANDSMAN – JANUARY 9th 1932
Re: Rothwell Temperance Band Broadcast
To the Editor of the British Bandsman.
Dear Sir,
I have just come across a cutting from a London daily paper in which Rothwell Temperance Band was most cruelly reviled, and Brass Bands as a whole held up to ridicule by Eric Dunstan.
He begins by stating that Brass Bands are an anathema to him. He sees no reason why Brass Bands should not broadcast, but thinks that they should be in tune like stringed instruments are.
But I cannot understand why he should vent his spleen on Rothwell Temperance Band, which is one of our best broadcasters. I listed to every note that the Band played and at no time had I any desire to “switch off.”
I hope this man’s violent outrage on Rothwell Temperance Band will have caused them no inconvenience. All the members of the Brass Band fraternity that I have heard speak of their performance have been loud in their praise, and I learn that even strangers to the band have written in complimentary terms.
J. Brier.
