A CENTENARY celebration will take place in Melton on Sunday to mark 100 years of band concerts. It will be 100 years since Thursday, August 2, 1909, when the first concert took place in the new carousel bandstand and landscaped New Park.
The bandstand was restored to its former glory in 2008 as part of the Town Estate's Big Picture Appeal to rejuvenate Melton parks.
And to recognise this achievement and the centenary the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton JP,
will unveil a plaque at about 2.30pm, joined by a host of other special guests including MP Alan Duncan, Mayor Elaine Holmes and county council chairman Roger Wilson.
At the band concert the inaugural performance of The Town Estate's
Celebratory March will be performed by The Melton Band.
It was written by Leigh Baker, of the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band, who is one of the leading composers writing for brass bands.
Leigh started playing with The Melton Borough Band (now The Melton Band) at the age of 11 and by 13 was principal euphonium. He went on to play for many bands in the Midlands, including the then national champions, Desford Colliery Band. He went to Huddersfield University to study music, joining his current band, and is head of music in a Huddersfield secondary school.
For Sunday's concert the band will also be welcoming back other top
players including Simon Hardy, Pete Collins, Dan Baker, Phillipa Howett and Tony Rifugiato of Mel-Tone.
From the archive, August 6, 1909:
"In honour of the event and to impart a festive appearance, floral baskets depended from the roof. Young and old were intermingled and the happiest of feelings prevailed. All, in fact, seemed in a festive mood befitting the occasion . . .
"Ex-townwarden Mr Henry Wood, in opening the event, described the bandstand as 'noble and beautiful'. He declared: "There was no town of that size so highly placed and very few of any other size so highly placed as was Melton Mowbray in matters
musical."
". . . happy couples were whirling round to the music of the polka, the waltz and the more dignified lancers and sets. With the electric globes twinkling in the darkness, the animated crowd presented a picturesque scene . . . and there was no doubt as to the amount of enjoyment derived."
