The prize-winning Lymington Town Band
The Lymington 'Temperance Band' that made national headlines and played for the King!
Lymington Town Band has been in continuous existence since 1883 when twelve musicians met at the Anglesey Temperance Hotel (now the Thomas Tripp) to consider forming a band.
They held their first practice in Pardey's Dairy, Buckland, and later moved to a room at the Sea Water Baths, then in a small hall at Woodside, before settling at the Literary Institute where the band practised until recently.
Remarkably, the band was never out of prize lists at festivals during its first 80 years, making national headlines. They even played before King Edward VII - who thought it was a huge joke that they should call themselves at Temperance Band!
The picture shows the band in 1910 outside Mr W Batts' house in New Street. Mr Batts, on the far left in the straw boater, was a tireless worker for Lymington Hospital. Seated in the centre is the bandmaster Hinckley, who subsequently joined the Canadian Army.
Some years ago, after being awarded a second prize in a competition in Rhyl, Wales, their motor coach had a puncture in Brockenhurst. They were due to lead the Lymington mayor's church parade. The procession moved off and the bandsmen caught up by sprinting along New Street and playing at the rear!!
Nowadays Lymington Town Band rehearses every Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Lymington British Legion, Haig House (just off the High Street). If you are an accomplished musician and are thinking about expanding your horizons, give the band a call, or come along for a taster session - they are particularly keen to increase their bass section and percussionists.
Lymington Town Band has performed over the summer at the Bandstand in Bath Road park, at the Summer Spectacular at Woodside, at Brockenhurst Station and at a Last Night of the Proms concert in Milford on Sea. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar for more concerts, including their Christmas Concert.
Find contact details for Lymington Town Band here.
Image & Information: Lymington in Old Picture Postcards
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The National School was opened on 11 January 1836, built to accommodate 160 boys taught by male teachers and 120 girls by spinsters. There were also pupil teachers apprenticed for five years.
For over 40 years the 
In 1973, a Rotary Santa Float at Lymington was first seen in Lymington. Initially it was just a flatbed trailer with a Christmas tree on each corner which was built by Dr Basil Thornton and Alan Figgures. A 12v car battery powered lights and sound system. Santa sat on a simple wooden chair in the middle. A cunning mechanism using car trafficators waggled the reindeer’s ears and flashed it’s nose when a coin was inserted into a slot.
In 1978, Mike Corbin had the idea for a real Santa Sleigh. Mike was a gifted boat builder in his spare time and he brought his skills to bear by designing a new Santa Sleigh - The construction took place in a barn with the help of a small army of Elves, including Frank Johnston, Bob Tanner, Frank Carter, Ted Chalk and others, who cut, sawed and sandpapered the marine plywood to Mike's specifications then put the bits together before finally painting on the bright red colour.
