8 November 1949 was a proud day for the Shildon Works Band. They were on their way to London to play in the Lord Mayor’s parade, and these photographs show them about to board the train at Darlington for their journey south.
I think the photographs capture the excitement of the occasion. The band’s uniforms are immaculate, their shoes beautifully polished, and their brass instruments are gleaming. The steam engine stands ready to depart.
Before setting off, they pose for photographs with the engine driver and a junior member of the band. In the first two photographs, the little boy looks rather unsure, but in the third picture he looks thrilled to be standing on the footplate of the locomotive.
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My Dad Ronnie Spencer was a bass trombone player in the band at this time. He is on the right at the front of the band column. I have a copy of this photograph. My sister has a wood and ceramic biscuit barrel mounted with a shield plaque presented to my Mam and dad on the occasion of their marriage. My Dad was the guard on the last passenger train to Wearhead station in 1953