During the interval at our concert in the United Reform Church in Saltaire several of the band were introduced to a gentleman by the name of Jack Widdop. During the conversation we learned more about the band’s history from 1946.
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The band are proud to announce a partnership with Bradford based Regal Food Products Group PLC. The firm has been based in the area for 30 years and now exports to most of the European Union and Scandinavia.
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The principal cornet player of the Hammonds Saltaire Band, Jamie Smith, has been chosen has the principal cornet player of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for their summer course at Repton School.
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On a recent visit to Salts Mill a member of the band was looking through their selection of local history books and noticed a familiar site. A picture of the band taken last May at the official re-opening of the Roberts Park bandstand in Saltaire. Read More...

On the 9th December 2010 the band had the honour of returning to our original home when we were invited by Zoe Silver to perform at one of the late night openings of Salts Mill. The large number of shoppers were treated to a variety of traditional Christmas items as well as music from the films and some of the bands soloists. Read More...

On the 23rd and 24th October the band moved from our home for the last two years in Huddersfield to a new bandroom in Elland, near Halifax. Moving a library of 2,500 pieces plus all our instruments, uniforms, photos and other memorabilia took most of the weekend but after a busy two days we will be able to have our first rehearsal on Monday 25th as normal. Read More...

After several weeks of on and off work the band website has undergone several changes. At first glance it looks similar to the site which was launched when we changed our name back in January 2009 but in reality much has changed Read More...

A couple who have never heard of Saltaire paid a visit to the village recently after discovering a 130 year old commemorative walking cane when clearing out their cupboards.

Elaine Moring and Karl Woodbridge found the 1879 silver handled cane at their 20 year old flat in Kettering, Northampton.
It was presented to the then Saltaire Band which went on to become the present day Hammonds Saltaire Band

There is an inscription on the cane which reads: “Presented by the members of Saltaire Brass Band, Sir Titus Salt and Sons and Company, to Joseph Scott, Military outfitter, for the efficient manner in which he executed the uniform dress of the band. Made by Joseph Paley, Bandmaster. Dated 24th May, 1879.”

The couple searched the internet, emailed historian Dave Shaw and have now given the cane to Shipley College Resource Centre.

Elaine and Karl are pictured handing over the cane to band chairman John Myles and Julie Woodward from the Resource Centre.

The Hammonds Saltaire Band is pleased to announce the appointment of its new principal cornet player JJ Lees.

JJ started his playing career with the Dobcross Youth Band and moved on to lead Pennine Brass through its rise to success. He is originally from Saddleworth and is currently studying for a Masters degree in Bio Mechanics at Manchester University.
Musical Director Morgan Griffiths commented “We are all absolutely delighted with the appointment of JJ Lees. JJ is a fantastic player and has all the qualities we are looking for, I have personally watched his development with great interest over a number of years and for me he was the only choice. JJ has all the right attributes to lead Hammonds Saltaire into our next exciting chapter.”

JJ will make his debut for Hammonds Saltaire in May at the Buxton Opera House.

The Hammonds Saltaire Band are pleased to announce that Benjamin Richeton will be taking over the Soprano Cornet chair. Benjamin was Principal Cornet with the European Youth Band for two years and then moved to Soprano, a position he has now held there for over a year.

Benjamin who hails from France, is currently studying music at University of Salford and joined Hammonds on Bb cornet in September last year. Band Manager Dave Long said “we are very pleased to have Benjamin take over on Soprano Cornet. We feel it’s very important to invest in the best young players not just here in Yorkshire but also in Europe. Benjamin has already proven himself to be a talented, hardworking and committed player, we are sure he will prove to be an excellent Soprano player here at Hammonds.”
Benjamin takes over from Kevin Donaldson who has had to step down due to increased work commitments. Dave commented “we were very sad to see Kevin step down but we fully understand that his work must come first. He has made an immense contribution to the band not only on Soprano but behind the scenes as well. His infectious enthusiasm and bubbly personality will be a big miss not just to YBS but to the brass band movement in general”

Benjamin Richeton made his debut on Soprano Cornet for Hammonds at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough on Saturday 24th January.

YBS has changed its name to Hammonds Saltaire Band, a name which reflects its 150 year history.

Although the band has been known as YBS for the past 15 years it has been fondly remembered as the “former Hammonds Band” going back to a time when it was sponsored for a period of almost 50 years by the then local Hammonds Sauce Works which was based in Saltaire. The name Saltaire also reflects the band’s roots as being the place where the original band was founded over 150 years ago by Sir Titus Salt at his mills in the town of Saltaire, Bradford.

John Myles, Chairman of the Band said "We're very excited about the name change. While the band has been hugely successful under the YBS banner, it feels that now is the right time to move forward with a new name. It was unanimously agreed that Hammonds Saltaire Band was the right name to reflect the Band’s heritage and take us forward - back to the future!"

John continued "Following discussions with McCormick (UK) Ltd, who now own the Hammonds brand name, they were delighted to welcome us back and we are looking forward to working with them in the next chapter of the band's 150 year history."

The new name became effective on January 24th, when the band played at one of its favourite concert venues at Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.

Lisa Rogers, Marketing Manager at McCormick's said “We are delighted that the Band has decided to use the Hammond’s name again. We are very proud of our heritage with this brand which was started by Mrs. Goodhall back in 1853 when she invented the Hammonds relish recipe in her Leeds kitchen. After 2 world wars and numerous location moves and ownership changes the name is still going strong and we will be investing in it for the foreseeable future”