Swineshead Silver Band Bandroom
In 1960, seventy four years after it was founded, Swineshead Silver Prize Band (as it was known then) acquired its own bandroom – a former sack store in Swineshead. Although it was an old and insignificant building, to the Band it was a palace. It meant that they had a home and didn’t need to constantly be hiring rooms that were sometimes too small for two dozen players, and often not available for more than one night a week. Since then with their own building, the Band was able to practice any night of the week, give performances and have a permanent music library and instrument store.
Following the purchase (for £100) of the sack store, tucked between two houses* on South Street, members of the band worked on renovation of the building.
The Boston Standard newspaper reported on 19th August 1960:
‘Talking to Herbert Thorpe, Frank Atkinson and Herbert Ceaser, three hard-working bandsmen, our reporter learned just how much the bandroom meant for them.
“We can have practice when we like – that’s a thing we have never been able to do. We have only been able to have one night in the week in the past”, they explained.’
In 1960 the A17 trunk road still wound its way through Swineshead and any fear the sound of the band playing would disturb their neighbours was alleviated by the thunderous noise from the constant stream of traffic passing right by their front door.
SSB Bandroom, formerly a sack store, purchased and converted in 1960
Over the years not much has changed with new windows and roof insulation being fitted but it remained a sack store converted into a bandroom.
Starting in 2024 a major effort to refurbish the bandroom commenced. Barbara Webster, SSB Band Secretary, project managed the whole amazing transformation and with a team of band volunteers they have worked before, during and after the builders to put all this together.
Barbara worked closely with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation and Boston Borough Council Building Control and used a local builder J.C. Builders to undertake the renovation project. Smiths Electricals Ltd. of Boston completed all electrical work and a local decorator from Donington, painted the bandroom.
A huge thank-you to the organisations that have supported with grants to enable this work to be done:
- Swineshead Benevolent Foundation (previously known as Swineshead Poor Charity)
- Bicker Wind Farm Trust
- Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund
- UKSPG Grassroots Government Levelling Up Grant
To see the marvellous transformation that has been achieved please scroll through the pictures on the following pages:
Bandroom: Before Bandroom: Work in Progress Bandroom: After
*[Built as an infill to the two houses on either side; these have since been demolished but the end walls were left to stop the Bandroom becoming an open barn.]