Secret of hidden band instruments revealed, Teesdale Mercury

A LONG-held secret of how members of a brass band saved their instruments from being melted down and turned into Spitfire fighter planes has been revealed.

The Government appealed for people to donate metal during the Second World Ward because of the large amounts of material needed to make weapons.

The response to the plea was so great that communities across the UK collected massive piles of scrap metal, including items such as old pots and fence railings.

But when members of Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band heard the War Office’s appeal, they knew it meant the destruction of the all the group’s instruments and possibly the band itself.

But the mystery of how the band’s instruments survived can now be revealed – and the news has come as a surprise to senior members.

Catherine Hayman, who runs the Moorcock, in Eggleston, said: “I recently received a visit from someone who was born at the pub.  She came to celebrate her 60th birthday and left some copies of her memoirs.

“She said the band members hid their instruments in the stable during the war so they wouldn’t be melted down.”

The woman, called Margaret, wrote that she “used to love to uncover these pieces from underneath the straw and try to blow them, without success – until granda showed me how it was done”.

Ms Hayman said: “Maybe members thought it wasn’t a patriotic thing to do and that’s why no one really knows about it – but who can blame them for wanting to keep their band?”

Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band’s secretary, Iain Brown, said he had not heard the story.

Mr Brown said: “It’s a new one on me.”

He added that many instruments used by the band are owned by members.

“It’s probable that the pieces that were hidden during the war were passed down in families and are still in attics in the dale,” Mr Brown said.

The band hit the headlines recently after Mr Brown said its future was uncertain because of financial problems.

But thanks to an appeal in the Mercury, more than £1,000 has been donated – an amount members hope will safeguard the group.

The landlady of the Moorcock said the band has strong links with life in the upper dale and pub customers wanted to do something to help.

The pub now plans to hold regular discos, including pie and peas suppers, to raise money.

“The band is part of the heritage of the dale and it’s important to support them,” Ms Hayman said.

The landlady has also asked for people with stories of past times at the pub to call her on 01833 650395.