Verwood Concert Brass was started by Mr Jesse Shearing in 1864 when it was known as the Verwood Temperance Band.
In 1929, The Band took part in the first Verwood Carnival and continued the tradition until 2023. The carnival was not held in 2024.
The Band was associated with the village brickworks and from the 1920’s until 1994 was based at the ‘Toc H’ hut on the site of the present Band Hall in Moorlands Road. This land was gifted to the band and a new hall was built and opened in 1995. This underwent a major repair and re-configuration in 2023, requiring the Band to raise £250,000 to carry out the work.
The Band took on a new name of Verwood Prize Band in 1930. This changed again in 1976 when the Band decided to change its name to Verwood Concert Brass as it was now a Championship Section band.
Over the years, fortunes faltered and Verwood Concert Brass found itself in the 4th Section. However, in 2007 it was promoted to the 3rd Section and to the second section in 2009.
The Band then progressed back up to the Championship section in 2016 which is where Verwood Concert Brass – Principal Band- remains today.
In 2009, because of growing numbers and varying abilities, it was decided to form a second competing Band. This was initially known as the ‘B’ Band but later took on the title of Verwood Town Band.
In November 2011 Verwood Concert Brass became a Registered Charity – Charity Number 1144224
For many years the Band ran a Training Band under the leadership of Pam Reeks. She encouraged and nurtured players, some of whom are professional musicians today. The Training Band became more and more accomplished and in 2023 changed its name to The Verwood Community Band. At the present day, the Community Band performs several concerts in its own right in and around the town of Verwood. It welcomes new players with some experience, but has no stipulation as to their degree of competence. Enthusiasm and hard work are all that is required!
Verwood Acorn Group is for complete beginners who have never played before. It welcomes both young and old, providing an instrument free of charge and aims to provide musical tuition to enable players to progress to the next level of playing.
In 2025, Verwood Town Band will be playing in the 2nd Section following a win at the Regional Championships in Torquay in March 2024. A great achievement for a band that was only formed 15 years ago.
VCB Through the Ages -The Early Days
These grainy black and white photographs were taken in the early 20th Century when Verwood Band were known as the Verwood Temperance Band.
Contest History
Click here to download our contest history (requires Microsoft Excel 2003 or later)