Sheffield’s Woodhouse Prize Band Seeks New Home After 171 Years in Same Area

The Woodhouse Prize Band, located in Sheffield, is currently seeking a new premises within the same area it has occupied for the past 171 years. This ensemble is considered to be among the world’s most enduring brass bands. Jeanette Grayson, the band’s life president, characterized their current venue, the 19th Century-built Tythe Barne in Woodhouse, where they have been for 30 years, as the “perfect spot.” However, she acknowledged that remaining there was no longer financially sustainable. Ms Grayson, aged 64, emphasized the importance of the band staying in Woodhouse and expressed that she was “pretty hopeful” about securing a new location within the community. “The village has been good to us,” she stated. The band, comprising 28 members and an additional 25 players in its learners section, represents a family tradition for Ms Grayson, a cornet player who has participated for 54 years. This involvement extends across seven generations of Ms Grayson’s family, now encompassing her five-year-old granddaughter, Maisie, who is an aspiring cornet player in the learners band. Ms Grayson, whose late father Graham Cook dedicated nearly 80 years to playing in the Woodhouse Prize Band, remarked, “It’s the only thing that’s not too big for her to hold.” Her family’s initial connection to the band began approximately a decade after its establishment in 1853, following their relocation to Woodhouse. Ms Grayson, who also grew up in Woodhouse, stated, “We can plot our family history [through the band].” She added, “At one time there were nine of us in the band.” Their significant influence led to the band being nicknamed “The Cooks” at one point, referencing the family’s surname. Historically, donkeys were utilized to transport music stands, underscoring the extensive duration of the Woodhouse Prize Band’s existence. Currently, Ms Grayson noted that participation in the band contributes positively to its members’ mental well-being, allowing them “just to come and switch off.” She further explained, “We call it our band family, that’s what it means to us.” Although various potential new homes have been investigated, the band, which operates entirely on a self-supporting basis, has not yet secured an appropriate site. Ms Grayson, who has organized a series of fundraising concerts during Christmas to assist with relocation expenses, commented, “A band doesn’t just come with 30 players.” “After 171 years, we have got a lot of baggage,” she concluded.