Wingates Temperance Band

The World Famous Wingates Temperance Band was founded in 1873 as a drum and fife band by the Wingates Independent Methodists, but it very soon turned to brass instrumentation. The Band first appeared in the championship section at the Crystal Palace, London in 1902 gaining 3rd prize, and in 1906 won both the Belle Vue (Manchester) and the Crystal Palace Championship Contests. They repeated this feat for two successive years. From 1904 to 1939 they were prize winners at Belle Vue on 22 occasions, this included 6 first prizes, 6 second prizes, they also won the Crystal Palace Championships again in 1931. They were also winners of the North Western Area Brass Band Championships in 1965. One of the very few bands entirely self supported, between 1958 and 1968 they were prize winners at the "Daily Herald" Area Contests 6 times, and were runners up at Belle Vue Championships in 1961.