Garrison Band Has New Home

Behind the Provincial Council Buildings is an old wooden building which, at first glance, looks rather like a band rotunda with a roof on. In this building for 59 years, members of the Nelson Garrison Band practised and met. But the building has seen better days, and when this was recognised by the band, steps were taken to acquire a new home. Recently, after three years of planning, the band moved into its new headquarters adjacent to Trafalgar Park. Much of the building was done by voluntary labour, and the result is a 1400 sq. ft. building that any organisation would be very proud to own.

The old band room, built in 1903 by bandsmen from materials supplied by Messrs C. Leaper and the late Tom Hughes, whose son did much of the work on the new building.

President Mr C. W. Lipscombe welcomed visitors to new rooms.

The new band rooms

Old members of the band, back: Eric Withell (life member), Mac Brownlie, Norm Smith, Stan Haase, Allan Martin, Tot Robinson, Andrew McConchie, Harry Cotton (life); front, Lyn Gamble, Chas. Lipscombe, Fred Lock, Frank Brien, Tom Hughes, Bill Reed, Frank Elliott (with exception of Gamble and Elliott, all life members).

The hard-working ladies' committee

Fred Lock, 62 years a member of the band, with immediate past president Keith Walker and Fred Jones, who has 65 years' association with the band.

The band at one of its public appearances

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The Nelson Photo News

No 18 : April 28, 1962

Garrison Band Has New Home