Band History

Dunston Silver Band, originally known as Dunston Temperance Band, has a colourful history which can be traced back to 1902. It is thought the band was in existence long before this but documented proof is hard to find. If anyone has any further information on the origins of the band we would be very interested to know about it – please get in touch!

Sometime between 1902 and 1913 the band changed its name to Dunston Silver Band. In 1913 the Band performed at Crystal Palace under the direction on Mr Alf Gale of Dunston Bank.

Between 1939 and 1945, the Band exchanged their uniforms for that of the Home Guard, and in the sixties made successful tours of Italy and Switzerland with many famous names of North East brass banding helping out.

In 1987 the Band was reformed by the determination of Tommy Lee and Matt Bell after becoming defunct for two years. It also had a spell of sponsorship by the local Gateshead Metro Centre.

In recent years, the Band has worked hard and experienced great success; working our way up from fourth section to first section in as many years, attending the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in September 2015, and winning the North of England Regional Second Section Championships in March 2016. This is the highest in the national competition structure that the band has ever climbed. We have also recently started our Youth Band for both young people who have never played a brass instrument before, as well as those already learning. We are hugely proud of all of these achievements.