The Potters Bar Town Band is based in South Hertfordshire, (better known as Junction 24 of the M25) and has been entertaining the local community for many years. We were in existence during the second half of the 19th Century but disbanded in 1939. In 1948, a meeting was called to re-form the band. About twelve people attended and the current band was formed. The instruments had been stored at the Bakehouse of Horace Tilbury, which stood at the junction of the High Street and Mutton Lane, (this is now the site of the Canada Life Building) they were cleaned and found to be playable.
Practices were originally held in a shed at the rear of the White Horse Public House, (now better known as the Cask and Stillage), and their garden was the site of the first public performance. The band continued to play in the local Potters Bar area, and were kept running by Jack Smith even when down to about 10 players.
By the 1990s the band were under a new conductor and practicing in a Scout Hut in Quakers Lane. It was then that the band started to take part in local competitions, although they usually came last! In 2004 with some players joining us from Enfield Town Band under the banner of Potters Bar Town Band, the band reached the fourth section National Finals in Harrogate, amazingly coming first. A few years later the band stopped competitions but continued to play at events and concerts in the local area.
In 2014 the Scout Hut the band had made home was to be demolished and replaced and in the interim the band moved to the Methodist Church in Goffs Oak, where one of our members was the minister. The band still rehearse there today, under the guidance of our conductor, Martin Turner. Today's band has 20-25 players of all ages and abilities. We play with enthusiasm, look to extend our repertoire and raise the standard of playing throughout the band. We work towards a couple of concerts each year, and continue to play at local events.
The band currently meet every FRIDAY between 8.00 pm and 10:00 pm at Goffs Oak Methodist Church, Newgatestreet Road, Goffs Oak, Herts, EN7 5SS.
