Westerham Town Band

The first Westerham Volunteer Band circa 1895
Town Band circa 1910. Albert Edward Newton, then bandmaster, sits immediately left of the big drum

The Town Band

Westerham had had its own Town Band since February 1892 when the ‘First March of the Volunteer Brass Band’ was witnessed under the conductorship of Mr Thomas Hardes. Prior to that date, Westerham seems to have engaged the services of the Saint Mary Cray Town Band through the 1880s and up to this date.

August 31, 1907 – Quote from an onlooker

“…The Westerham town band as usual played in the high-street on Saturday evening last. They attracted a great crowd, I gave some excellent selections one in particular a valse, was delightful with its dreamy catchy refrain. Strangers who visit the town are frequently heard to express themselves in flattering terms of our local band, and they deserve it!  Mr A. E. Newton has brought them along splendidly and the band is a credit to the town. The members have worked hard to obtain their present efficiency, and are deserving of all the support possible from the inhabitants. Westerham would be a duller place without its band…”

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