Yiewsley and West Drayton Band

In 1890 the officers of the Yiewsley Band of Hope reported that sufficient funds had been raised from the inhabitants of Yiewsley and West Drayton for the establishment of a brass band. The first rehearsal was held on Wednesday 13 August 1890 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Yiewsley, then a village of just 2000 inhabitants.

Twenty players signed up, and a conductor was appointed. The first recorded engagement was in December 1890 when the band played ata Christmas party for the children of the Wesleyan Society. Fund raising and a busy diary of local events dominated the early years. Over the years, the band changed its name a number of times and finally settled in1971 when it was renamed Yiewsley and West Drayton Band.

The musical director of the band is Christopher Cole, who has been the MD since 1994. Through his passion for music and for brass in particular,Chris has encouraged renewed interest in the band. Under his stewardship,musical standards have spiralled upwards. He is especially proud of taking the band to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in2002. This was the first time the band had competed at this level for over 50 years.

The band practices twice a week on a Wednesday and Friday in the YiewsleyMethodist Church, which is located in Fairfield Road next to Tesco.

The band can provide entertainment specifically for your event or function.This can be done in a number of ways, from the music that we play to the type of ensemble required.

For more information on the band, please visit www.ywdband.com.