THE BESSES 0’ TH’ BARN BAND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8765, 16 March 1907, Page 3

THE BESSES 0’ TH’ BARN BAND.

Two Concerts in bartonThe greatest interest is being manifested throughout the district in the visit of the famous Besses o’ th’ Barn Band to Martou next Wednesday, when two concerts will bo given, both of which will enable residents to hear this groat organisation from all points. The open air concert in the Pork commences at 4 p.iu. t and at the Town Hall in the evening another programme of the world’s best music will bo submitted. Tickets are being rcadny disposed of at Mogridgo’s,_ where the box plan and all priced tickets are. The Bosses o’ th’ Barn Band, which comes from Whitfield, near Manchester, takes its name from the ouaint old village called Besses o fh’ Bam, the origin of which is explained in a newspaper dated January, 1747, in which a meeting was convened at Bess o’ th’ Barn. This hostelry was previously a barn, in which the first practices of the band were held, and was kept by a popular Lancashire Lass .called_ Bessie. The inn was frequented by Dick Turpin. Up till 1858 the baud was a reed one, but after that year they introduced all brass instruments, ana engaged the services of a professional conductor, and the historical combination kept up a steady progress in their spare time away from the cotton mills, until to-day they stand pre-eminent as the champion of champion bands. To Mr Alexander Owen, the celebrated conductor and composer, much of the credit ox their long list of successes is due, for ho has been associated with the Besses for 25 years. Mr J. Henry Isles, the general manager of the baud, occupies a prominent position in England, and has been designated “The Napoleon of the Baud World, having directed the leading band festivals of Great Britain, an a in eight years Mr Isle has raised £35,000 for charities by his organisation of festivals and concerts.