During the first half of the 19th century Chorlton was still a rural community and many of those who played in the band earned their living from the land and had been born in the township.
But as Chorlton grew and attracted new people who made their living from other trades so the composition of the band changed.
And it was the chance discovery of a photograph of the band dated 1893 which has revealed the story of this band. It has been possible to track almost all of the men from that picture. Most had not been born here and some still lived elsewhere.
They were clerks and warehouseman, with just a few still working on the farms and market gardens.
Like many bands ours was a close knit group with a few families supplying many of those who played, and again like other brass bands these men lived close together, concentrated off Crossland Road and Beech Road.
Picture; from the collection of Alan Brown
James Brundrit and his son James Brundrit. Father lived in Brownhill Buildings moving to 27 Acres Road then across the road to 5 Hardy Ave. He died in 1904. James Jnr. born 1875 and moved from Acres Road to 44 Grenville Street Moss Side when he married in 1907.From 1701 the Brundrit's lived in Stretford originally from Macclesfield when John Brundreth was Mayor in 1620. For our sins Giles Brandreth the TV personality being a distant relative. I have traced the family back to Johnis Brandreth John's father.
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