The earliest available records show that in 1874 a drum and fife band from Strangeways Industrial School lead the way for a parade of scholars through Tyldesley. Three years later, the name of Tyldesley Good Templars Brass Band – lead by Mr Hinchcliffe - is recorded as having guided two main processions through the town; the White Walk, and to mark the opening of Tyldesley Public Baths.

In 1882, under the new name of Tyldesley Temperance Brass Band, a press report showed that the band engaged a conductor by the name of Mr Dewhurst from Clayton, Yorkshire. Between 1882 and the 1890s another name change appears, this time as the Tyldesley Wesleyan Temperance Prize Band.

 the grounds of Barlow House, Lower Elliot Street, Tyldesley, 1898

After a brief spell as 'Tyldesley Temperance Band' in 1906 the band reverted to the name of Tyldesley Temperance Prize Band in 1906 after a dispute arose between the Wesleyan minister, the band chairman and the band members over the means of raising funds. The outcome of this quarrel saw all bandsmen resign en masse and return to their previous headquarters in Back Johnson Street.  Such a move caused the minister to retain both instruments and uniforms until a guaranteed sum of £65 had been paid, which must have occasioned a period of considerable hardship for the band. 

The advent of the First World War and its consequent conscription led to the suspension of band activities from 1916 until 1919 and in the following January band members resumed activities under the name Tyldesley Subscription Prize Band.

At an unknown time during the Second World War, rehearsals were suspended due to the high numbers of bandsmen involved in active combat. Instruments were loaned out to the American Armed Forces based at Burtonwood, near Warrington. Upon their return at the end of the war the instruments were kindly renovated and a donation of £100 was made to band funds. The band was reformed as Tyldesley Prize Band.

Gaining success at the Belle Vue Spring Festival in 1953 with conductor Fred Martland, the band won the Senior Trophy contest. The next major win was at the North West Area Contest when the band qualified for the Daily Herald National Finals (Third Section) in 1960. The appointment of Brian Peacock as conductor in 1965 was closely followed by a 3rd prize in the Senior Cup contest at Belle Vue, and 1st prize in the North West 4th Section Championships. Promotion to the 3rd section was achieved and many 1st and 2nd prizes gained at local contests and the inaugural Pontins contest of 1974. Moving up to the 2nd section, the band again had great success in Wigan, Skelmersdale and Huddersfield contests with, respectively, its renditions of 'Labour and Love', 'Rhapsody on the Cornish Coast' and 'Prometheus Unbound'. It is perhaps that these years could be noted as the band's most memorable period. 

Around 1983 the band dropped 'Prize' from their title and in 1988, after gaining sponsorship from a local company, the band became Lancastrian Building Society Tyldesley Band.  Darrol Barry's appointment as conductor in the same year brought with it many successes. Taking the band from the 3rd to the 1st section, he had wins at the Rochdale, Pontins and Buxton contests. After a two-year sabbatical when Brian Taylor took up the baton, Darrol returned to take the now named Classic Racing (Tyldesley) Band to the 1st section National Finals in Brimingham. With visits to Angers, France in 1995 and 1997, the band represented England in the local music festival. In recent years, after reverting to the name Tyldesley Band, the band played at Bruce Grobbelar's Testimonial, backing Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers. They have also played at the France v Great Britain Rugby International in Wigan. The band has recently celebrated its 125th anniversary with many events including a gala concert with guest soloists and a special anniversary dinner.

President, J Daniels, Charlie Taylor, Joe Cunliff, J Everitt, H Duddle, J Bierne, Mo Berry 1959-60 Joe Cunliff returns

This was taken in 1960, upstairs of the now ROAB club in Tyldesley. The band used to practice in this room. On the three rows from top to bottom, left to right are-

Ray Peacock, W Horibin, F Lambley, E Bell, T Sparrow, R Ashcroft, J Ivill, D Pendlebury, ???, B Lloyd

E Roberts, Charles Worth, D Pendlebury, ???, C Marsh, J Shea, M Magee, T Liptrot, E Eccleston, Ray Davies, Tom Dunster

H Walmsley, ???, Tony Cunliffe, Charlie Taylor, Fred Martland, J Everett, H Hadfield, Roy Charnock

1970 c taylor eric roberts dave abrams tony cunliff daubhill school

T Dunster, J Dunster, T Cunliffe and J Cunliffe

14th October 1960 on the way to the London Contest

All of these grew up to play in Tyldesley. Taught on Derwent Street, Astley by Charlie Talor. From left to right Keith Lloyd, Glyn Griffiths, Jimmy Ellison, Tony Clark, ??, John Taylor, Robert Taylor (conductor), ??, ??, Derek Jordan, Brian Taylor, Charlie Taylor.

Ray Peacock, Lindsey Shields, Tony Cunliffe, Roland Jones and Charlie Taylor 1981 at Mesnes Park Wigan

Tyldesley Carnival on Elliot Street 1994