Holme Silver Band was founded in the 1860’s. Descendants of the original founders are still involved with the band today. Now based in a purpose built bandroom in the heart of the Holme Valley, the band is going from strength to strength.

In the last 10 years the band has had many contest successes. They are the 1999 Yorkshire Area Champions in Section 2 and in September were clear winners at the National Finals to gain the title 2nd Section Champions of Great Britain 1999.

This resulted in the band being promoted to the 1st Section from January 2000. Other successes include winning the Pilkingtons Northern Open Championship 4 out of the last 5 years. The band regularly achieves good results at the local Holmfirth Contest often beating higher graded bands. The band competes in the Whit Friday March Contests every year. This is one of the biggest banding days of the year with nearly 100 bands of all standards competing at 50 different contests.

Holme Silver also have a busy concert schedule and fund-raising team. Engagements include weddings, funerals, galas and concerts. For the past 6 or 7 years the band have lead the parade at Wakefield Remembrance Day Service. The band have no major sponsorship arrangement so funds have to be raised to pay conductors fees and to maintain the bandroom and instruments.

The band have also had their 10 minutes of fame, appearing on Last of the Summer Wine several times and twice on the Sooty Show. Holme also played at two memorial services for the late Bill Owen, one in Holmfirth and the other at Broadcasting House in London.

Holme Band is made up of 25 brass players and 3 percussionists. There are 3 married couples who play in the band and 2 sets of brothers. The eldest player in the band is 56 and the youngest 15. Several of the players have been with the band for over 20 years including principal cornet Darren Rank. The conductor Duncan Beckley has been with the band for the last 3 years.

Recently a junior band has been formed to ensure Holme Silver Band can keep going well into the future.

A jubilant Holme Silver Band brought the house down after scooping their first ever national title with a stunning performance in the exciting UK finals. Conducted by Duncan Beckley, who joined Holme Band two years ago, the village side triumphed over 17 top bands to bring the gleaming trophy back to the Holme Valley. Duncan said he was absolutely delighted for the band. “They have been very hard done to over the years so it’s great for them, and great for the Holme Valley.” They were a clear three points ahead of second place United Norwest Co-op Milnrow with 187 points, and third were Bon Accord Silver with 186.