Description

Thornsett Band are a brass band based in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, UK. Thornsett Band, founded in 1895, is very much alive and well. They have gained a reputation as a youth brass band although players can be of any age. The main band practice on a Monday evening at the Thornsett Band hut in Thornsett. There is also a learner band that also meets on a Monday evening just before the main band.

The Thornsett Band was established in 1876. The band has had some good and bad times. In the 1930s, under the celebrated conductor William Halliwell, they enjoyed a period of excellence. Again in the 1960s under Bryan Taylor, they were revitalised and in 1967 they won the Junior Shield at Belle Vue.
Other major achievements include a third section national championship in 1974 and East Midlands second section championship in the 1980s.

It was later on in the 1980s that most of the experienced members left.
Thornsett Band thankfully didn’t go the same way as many of the other local band and kept going. The band then, as now, was run by Dave Ford and Matt Gee. They recruited local youngsters (and not so youngsters), started the ‘Learner Band’ as a feeder band to the main band. The Learner band still takes learners and teaches them. It is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to learn a instrument.

Description

The Town Hall is a large attractive stone building dating back to 1870 retaining most of its original exterior architectural features. It is set within the New Mills conservation area on an elevated site with a panoramic views of the High Peak countryside including the famous Kinder Downfall.

Besides carrying out the administrative functions of the town council, the town hall is regularly used as an entertainment venue. Recent uses include dances, quizzes, dog and flower shows, public meetings, blood transfusions, concerts, coronation and jubilee celebrations, exhibitions, receptions, bazaars and school fairs.

The main hall is attractively decorated in blue and white with a wooden floor and large arched windows which provide ample natural light in addition to the beautiful view. It is situated on the first floor of the building with level access from a designated disabled car park and includes disabled toilet facilities.

The hall measures 20m x 10m with an additional 10m x 3m raised stage and an adjoining bar/kitchen area. It is licenced as a wedding ceremony venue for up to 120 people and for entertainment and the consumption of alcohol for the following:
150 seated at tables/200 seated

The idea of building a public hall by subscription was first suggested in 1859, when the Mechanics' Institute needed more space, but it was twelve years before enough money was raised to buy the land and start work. The hall was opened by the Duke of Devon shire on 9th September 1871 and cost 2,568 16s 10d

It was used for public or private balls, dinners, concerts, entertainment, exhibitions, religious, social and political meetings, for county and sessional courts, library and reading rooms used by the Mechanics' Institution, Savings Bank (open on Saturdays only), Local Board offices, and the branch offices of the clerk to the magistrates and registrar of the county court.'

In 1875 the tower was added and the clock and chimes presented by Mrs Ingham of Watford Lodge. In 1895 the hall was transferred to the New Mills Urban District Council, and it was first described as the Town Hall in the minutes of 5 October 1898. In 1899 a free library was opened in an extension of the town hall. This soon proved too small and the present public library was built in 1909-10.

The chimes were replaced in 1939 by a new set, the gift of Councillor G Broome-Coope.

Since the building belongs to the town council, many voluntary bodies can use it at a reduced charge; other events bring in welcome regular income. Today, besides the council chamber and town clerks' offices, rooms are used for the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths and the Citizen's Advice Bureau hold regular surgeries.

Some of the archives of the heritage centre and local history society are stored here. In 1991, as part of the New Mills 600 celebrations, floodlighting was installed, and in 1994, following extensive roof repairs, the main hall was redecorated and the seating recovered, adding to its attractiveness as a venue.

Spring Bank,

New Mills,

Derbyshire,

England,

SK22 4AT.

01663 743 434