Markham Band

 

Markham British Legion Band was formed in 1928 and held its first rehearsals in a tin shed behind a cafe at Markham.  It became the Markham and District Colliery Band in 1930 and, by the time the Second World War had started, had achieved considerable success.  After the war it took a long time to get going again but by 1958 the band had achieved Championship standard.  In 1967 the band moved into its own band room and in 1968 was the Champion Band of Wales.  The following year they were the only civilian band to play at the Investiture of H.R.H. Prince Charles.

 

A freak storm in January 1976 completely destroyed the bandroom, all the music and uniforms.  The long haul back started with the formation of a Junior Band at Blackwood Comprehensive School and gradually things improved.  The culmination was the opening of a new band room at the Showfield, Blackwood.  Since then they have gone from strength to strength.  They now have a full complement of bandsmen  and are in the 1st section of the South Wales Band Registry.  The band has competed in numerous National Brass Band competitions, winning many first prizes, and have performed at The Albert Hall, Pontins and the Royal Eisteddfod.