History

Ilkeston Brass was formed over 80 years ago as The Stanton Ironworks Band,representing the Ironworks and their interests at many prestigeous events throughout the country,including London appearances at Regents Park,The Guildhall and high-profile locations.

With the demise of the British Iron and steel industries in the 60.s and 70,s,Stanton Ironworks was greatly affected,and felt that it could no longer continue to support the band financially.With their help,the band found rehearsal facilities within Ilkeston,changed it,s name to Ilkeston Brass,and continued to make music.

In the mid-seventies a television serial called "Sounding Brass", starring Brian Glover was produced by Granada,based around the workings,romances and personalities of a local brass band (much as the 1986 film "Brassed off") portrayed.The writer Shaw followed ilkeston Brass to concerts,contest,s,marches and pubs for nearly  6 months before he wrote and produced the series.Ilkeston Brass were chosen as the band for the series,a great honour.

Sounding brass. ( TV Series Early 1980"s )

 

We are at present trying to find out more about Ilkeston Brass,s part in the making of Sounding Brass,it would be nice if we could track down an old film clip or sound track from the original Tv series,and hopefully put it on the site.If anybody has any information or even an old video of the making of the programme,we would be grateful if you could contact us.A lot of the filming was done in the local area,who knows,somebody might have an old clip somewhere ?

TV,s Original Sounding Brass,early 1980,s.

This photo shows the original Sounding Brass Cast and  Ilkeston Brass as it was in those early Tv days of the 1980,s.Do you recognise Kevin Lloyd,2nd from the right on the front row ? probably better known as DCI Tosh Limes, who was an actor in the TV series "The Bill".

Ilkeston Brass early 1990"s.

Stanton Iron works Band.1950"s.

Very early picture of the Stanton band 1950,s. about 20years before the band changed its name to Ilkeston Brass as we are known today.Can you recognise anybody ? The players names are just visible below the photograph.

Old paper cutting from when the band won the 4th section area contest in 1992.