This week's prompt photograph from Sepia Saturday shows an, "international novelty orchestra from the early 1920s." I have the ideal match courtesy of my local heritage group Auld Earlston with photographs and press reports from the early 20th century of Earlston Clown Band. I have featured this before on my blog, but hope it will interest new readers here.
Earlston Town Band at Melrose Cycle Parade, 1923
This was a major three day event to raise funds for Melrose Football Club and comprised a bazaar, a concert, a cycle parade/fancy dress parade and a dance at which the Clown Band opened the evening with a Clown Waltz.
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It
is only recently that I have searched online British Newspapers at
www.findmypast.co.uk to find many reports on Earlston Clown Band who
performed at events across the Scottish Borders, However I have so far
been unable to trace the background to the organisation and to its
distinctive theme and costumes.
"The famous Clown Band was unanimously considered, nay acclaimed as the most striking and most original performance of the day.......... The performer on the big drum would be marked for distinction, for never before "throbbed the war drum" under such handling as it got from he wielder of the drum sticks."
This photograph of Cowdenknowes House is not dated, but, judging by the costume, this could well by the picnic event in 1906.
The Clown Band at Galashiels Cycle Parade, 1916
On 14th January 1919, "The Berwickshire News" reporter waxed eloquently in a colourful account of a school concert where:
"The finale was the performance of Earlston Junior Clown Band, trained by Miss Gil, one of the teachers, and her pupils did her infinite credit. This was thought to be the crowning performance of the evening and caused a great sensation. Their grotesque garments and equally grotesque musical performance made the bandsmen the heroes of the hour, the observed of all observers, the cynosure of every eye. Their contribution to the evening was a veritable triumph and was rewarded with tremendous applause. "You do wonder what their "grotesque musical performance" sounded like!
The Band at Galashiels Peace Parade, 1919
"The streets along which the procession passed were crowded with spectators, with over 100 adults and juveniles taking part. The local Clown Band, attired in fantastic dresses, brought up the rear.In October 1923 the band opened the celebrations at Mellerstain House following the marriage of Lord and Lady Haddington and returned in 1934 to mark the birth of a daughter, where:
"With the bonfire well alight, and the surroundings brightly illuminated, Earlston Clown Band entertained the workers and those who congregated around the blazing bonfire. Liberal refreshments were served and the night was one of gaity."
Mellerstain House - June 2018
May 1937 saw the Coronation celebration in the village, with the fancy dress pageant"Headed by the familiar Clown Band, Mr. J. W, Murdison, attired in clerical garb acting as drum major.
The last report found on the band was in "The Berwickshire News" of 13th July 1937 when the band took part, with great acclaim in a fancy dress parade in Lauder.
"Much of the success of the parade was due to the efforts of the Earlston Clown Band, which led the procession through the streets of the Burgh . The antics of the band, who were all in character, and its leader Mr. John Murdison roused peals of laughter from the many spectators who had gathered to watch the procession.
At the presentation of the prizes, an extra vote of thanks was given to Earlston Clown Band, who had kindly given their services free, and to Mr. J. Murdison and Ian Macdonald who were instrumental in bringing the band to Lauder."
No
further press reports were traced after that date. Did the outbreak of
war bring an end to the Clown Band activities, which had delighted its
followers down the decades?
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to share their family history through photographs.
To discover more tales of bands from Sepia Saturday bloggers, click HERE
Good for you - finding a clown band! What a great post on topic! I'm sure their music had a few flat notes, as well as stops and starts...but the object was laughter not music.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. And how lucky the towns around had access to the clown band's performances. They sound like a great fun bunch of musicians who were generous with their time and talents. I'll bet they enjoyed every minute of their performances which is why they were such a success at what they did! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a clown band.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity the band disbanded (excuse the pun) for whatever unknown reason. It sounds as if they were responsible for a great deal of local entertainment.
ReplyDeleteI remember this fun post from last summer. I suspect that buffoonery traditions in Britain with clownish costumes, and especially with music, go way back to ancient times. It offered a safe time to be silly and yet critical of the people in power.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I wonder if those clown "uniforms" helped the band gain and keep a clown-loving audience all generations.
ReplyDeleteThat was a fun read (for a new-ish reader). Any news articles today would not be nearly so delightfully descriptive.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments - this was a fun post to pull together. I would like to discover how the clown band come to an end - the war, political correctness etc.? I must look for more information on their last leader Mr. Murdison , perhaps an obituary in the local press.
ReplyDelete