AN integral part of a community has come to an end with the demise of its band.

Silsden Town Band last month performed for the final time, with dwindling membership blamed for the decision to fold.

Bosses hope the outfit will reform as a brass ensemble after the summer.

But the group – which over the years has become a familiar part of Silsden life, and a regular at events ranging from the Remembrance Sunday commemorations to the annual Christmas lights switch-on – in its traditional form, is no more.

“The decision to finish was not an easy one but it was felt it was better to do it now rather than struggle on,” said chairman, Phil Corp.

Membership had dropped to little over a dozen, compared to around 28 when the band was at its peak.

“In the last year we have lost about a third of our members due to retirements, ill-health, people moving away or work commitments,” Mr Corp added.

The band can trace its roots back to the middle of the 19th century.

It is believed that the then Silsden Brass Band was ‘born’ out of a pipe and reed band in the 1840s.

In 1850, some members joined the Royal Lancashire Militia, which marked the start of a long association between the regiment and the band.

The musicians were subsequently allowed to proudly wear the distinctive, white regimental tunics at band competitions and for public performances – a style of uniform which continued to be worn until the late 1920s.

At the outbreak of the Crimean War in the 1850s, nine band members enlisted for service abroad with the Royal Lancashire Military Band.

On their return, they brought with them the regimental bandmaster, Mr M Dowling, who took charge of the reformed Silsden outfit.

Brass band contests were growing in popularity at that time, partly because the developing railway system meant people could travel more freely across the country, and under Mr Dowling’s leadership the Silsden musicians enjoyed considerable success.

The band was fourth in the All England Brass Band Contest in Birmingham in 1862, and in subsequent years went on to win prizes at both local and national competitions.

In Victorian days, some of the Silsden bandsmen used their musical skills to play in travelling menageries. These were a popular form of entertainment at the time and also had an educational element for the many people who would otherwise never have the opportunity to see wild animals.

The band was also in regular demand for civic duties – such as in 1904, when it led a procession of dignitaries and the fire brigade to the opening of Silsden’s newly-built gas works, on the east side of the town close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

And in 1908, the band led the procession at Silsden charity carnival – believed to be the first instalment of what became the town’s gala.

The First World War saw the band lose members on the battlefields.

They included Corporal Fred Taylor, 22, who was killed in action on the Western Front in August, 1916, and Private Bernard Locker, 19, who fought on the Somme and was presumed dead later that year after being declared missing for several weeks. His body was never found.

In November, 1921, the band led a procession of ex-servicemen to the unveiling of the Silsden War Memorial.

The summer of 1935 saw a bandstand opened in the town, in memory of former bandmaster Edward Newton. Members of his family, who gave the bandstand, were present at the ceremony.

During the Second World War the band became defunct, and around half a century passed before it was ‘reborn’ – in unlikely circumstances.

The opening of the current Steeton & Silsden Railway Station in 1990 was the catalyst for the band’s reformation.

A rail trip to Morecambe was organised to celebrate the opening and a band from Cullingworth was hired to play on the platform.

“One of the local councillors thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice if Silsden had its own band for such occasions’,” said a spokesman

“Kath Hardcastle, who had organised the trip, heard of the musings and thought it was a good idea.”

As a result, some surplus money from the outing was donated and a public meeting held in Silsden Town Hall to gauge interest.

Fifteen musicians came forward, and saxophonist John Knight took on the role of musical director.

“John reckoned that the band could play well enough to take part in the local remembrance service at the war memorial a few months later,” said the spokesman.

Mr Knight was to step down from the role due to other commitments, but the fledgling band did go on to make its debut on Remembrance Sunday that year – leading the parade to the war memorial.

Band member Derek Modley, who had worked with Mr Knight in previous bands, took-up the reins as musical director.

During the 1990s, the band carried out extensive fundraising to build-up its stock of instruments.

“After the initial donation of £100 to help set-up Silsden Town Band it was realised a large amount of money would be needed to sustain the band into the future ­– it had very few brass instruments,” said the spokesman.

A variety of events was held, and sponsorship and grants sought.

Another priority after the band reformed was finding a permanent base.

In the early days, the town hall – and various other venues – was used for practice sessions and committee meetings.

But eventually a more-permanent base was found at the Gloucester Avenue community centre.

Experienced musician Ken Lee took over as bandmaster in 2004, and under his period of leadership the band continued to grow and took on a full programme of events.

Over the years, the band has also supported many charitable organisations – by holding fundraising concerts or making donations from its funds. Causes helped include Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands, Martin House, Marie Curie, Scope, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Airedale Hospital.

Silsden Town Band has also had close links with the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion, forged through its appearances at the remembrance events.

In 2011, the Silsden outfit became the first brass band to play on the newly-opened Graham Inman Memorial Bandstand.

The band gave a final performance in its current format at the Silsden Churches Together annual garden party last month, under conductor Keith Richmond.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the brass ensemble should get in touch via silsdentownband.silsden.net.