History

Skelmersdale Temperance Band was formed in 1878 and rehearsed in the bakery of a Mr Ellis Lawrence in Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale.

Skelmersdale town had its first ever walking day parade. The photo above features the band turning from High Street onto Sandy Lane.

Skelmersdale Prize Band was a focal point of the community. Throughout the depression and two world wars, the band provided support and fundraising efforts for those most in need.

In 1958, a youth band was formed at Brookfield Secondary Modern School. Mr Bill Lyon, who conducted the Temperance Band, and his brother Tom, took on the task of training these youngsters.

The Youth Band was soon performing concerts and in both 1962 and 1963 won the Youth Section of the North West Brass Band Association. The Youth Band was to become the backbone for the rebuilding of the band.

Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, under their conductor Mr Bill Lyon, the band quickly rose through the ranks from the Fourth Section up to the Championship Section.

However, in 1976, Disaster struck the band. A fire struck at the band room and completely destroyed the music, instruments and infrastructure of the building. The bands legacy struck a chord and just like the band helped the community during the war, the community helped the band to rebuild. Everyone from the Scouts and the Girl Guides, to neighbours of the band room helped by buying bricks, making donations and holding fundraisers, to help the band rebuild, literally from the ground up.

Thanks to a Lottery grant, the band was in a position to offer young people the chance to learn to play a brass instrument. Tuition began in 2004 with many young people learning to play brass instruments and June 11th 2007 saw the launch of the West Lancashire Youth Brass Band (WLYBB).

In 2009 WLYBB was very proud to be invited to play at Clarence House in front of HRH The Prince of Wales at the Business in the Community Awards.

In 2015, under the baton of David Chapman, the band were pleased to be placed 2nd at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool. As runners-up, the band were proud to once again represent the North West at the National Finals in Cheltenham.

Following the arrival of Ben Coulson in 2018, Skelmersdale Prize Band have won several prizes, placed 2nd at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and promoted to the 3rd section.

This period has been one of the most successful in the bands long history, with:
1 National Final Win
1 National Final Runner Up
3 National Final Qualifications
8 Top 3 Results
3 Whit Friday Overall Wins