Sankey Castle Works Band.
Sankey's Castle Works Band 1937(Conductor Mr C Yorath)
Sankey's Band 1958, taken in the works' Ballroom
Brought up in a brass banding family, the name 'Sankey`s' in my early years meant, The Band! In times before T.V. the Sankey`s radio broadcasts were a big attraction often coming from the works canteen in Hadley, just down the road from Oakengates.
Sounding Brass and Voices, Music While You Work, Marching and Waltzing, and Midland Bandstand were all popular B.B.C. radio programs in the 1940's and 50's.
Many contest successes came the bands way, competing in the highest championship sections with conductor Cyril Yorath at the helm. A star quartette of players Ted Baldwin, Ben Thornton on cornets, Gal Mills on horn and Walter Imeson on euphonium were all magnificent instrumentalists and soloists.
When I joined the band as a young 16 year old, Sankey`s were still at the top, competing at Belle Vue in the British Open, the Midland Area and other competitions. Mr Yorath had moved on, and Capt. Thomas Francis was Musical Director. He would greet people by saying "shake the hand that has shaken the hand of the King of England and the President of the United States of America." The Captain was ex Royal Marines Chatham, and a warm hearted gentleman.
Whilst continuing to perform at concerts and contests, it came as a shock to be told by the Sankey Works Directors in March 1961, that the company no longer needed a brass band. The final march played at the band`s last works Monday lunchtime concert was" Colonel Bogey." The bandsmen knew why! Years of top class music making, concerts and Championship Banding thus ended.
Sankey's Band 1959, with new uniforms at the Sankey football grounds
The author is sixth from the right, back row
The Frank Clayton Band
For many years they played for the Sankey Sports and Social Club at Sankey's ballroom, here pictured at the time of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952.
Rear row from left: Harry Richards, Bill Hollyhead, Albert Westbrook, Jack Shorter, Enoch Fenn Front row from left: Sandra Price, ? Edwards, Frank Clayton (leader), Bill Major, Frank Pardo, Ralph Hammond, Trevor Williams (piano)