What is the history of coal pit brass bands in the UK.?

Question

Was it for theraputic reasons,against lung diseases maybe.

Answer 1

Huge movements of people took place as the Industrial Revolution demanded that agricultural workers moved from the country to the rapidly growing conurbations centred on specific industries. People found themselves facing unfamiliar and unsatisfactory social conditions. Almost overnight, lifestyles, based upon seasonal, natural rhythms with space and time available, were transformed into cramped conditions devoid of the social advantages established within the patterns of rural life. Town planners gave little or no consideration to the recreational needs of workers so that, in what little time was available between rigid shift systems, drinking became an accepted leisure pursuit. Such a situation did not produce efficient workers.

Enlightened mill, colliery and foundry owners, recognising the plight of the workers, provided the wherewithal for recreation and entertainment by sponsoring works' bands. Not all of the early bands were work-related, some were formed as a result of public subscription as the people themselves sought to make gentler their harsh existence by bringing music and a sense of community pride into their lives.

Answer 2

No, it was nothing to do with disease. Brass bands probably originated as string bands in the 18th C, but began to find popular favour after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. However, they can also be traced back even earlier to the Town Waits of the 15th C and later. The growth after 1815 can possibly be traced to the demobilisation of many military bandsmen - early bands such as Black Dyke Mills are known to have brought their instruments from military bandmasters. By the beginning of the 20th C there were more than 40,000 bands in the UK. Most were based between the Trent and Tweed and brass band competitions were eagerly followed - having, perhaps, as big a place in local life as football was later to have. There was also a national competition held in Crystal Palace, London. Many bands were attached to places of work - Black Dyke that I have already mentioned was attached to a mill. Coal mines were no different - were there were collieries, the band would be attached to the local pit, if it were a mill town to the mill. There is nothing different about the colliery bands.

Answer 3

As far as I can tell it was a general leisure and morale issue.

The history of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band is probably entirely similar to most Colliery bands. They were also the basis of the band in the film Brassed Off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grimethorpe_Colliery_Band