History
(Page 3)

The band continued to practice in the Sunday school room for a short while after the war, but some ill feeling developed between the band and its landlord. Harry Tongs, a rustic character who was known as "Farmer" Tongs, offered band use of an old cow pen behind his cottage. It was nicknamed Rat's Lodge. "it used to hold four or five cows before we moved in, but there was enough room for us to practice there," said Stan Topp. "The rain used to beat down on the iron roof, we had to play with our coats on in the winter because it was so cold, and one particular note on the euphonium made the oil lamp flare up."

Eventually, it was decided that a different home for the band was needed, and Tom Topp went to see Mr Rolfe at the garage at Winchester Hill, Romsey to buy an old army hut from him. He got two sections for £12 delivered!. It was erected in Harry Tongs orchard and was the bands home for many years. Tom Topp insisted on an official arrangement, so it was agree to pay Harry five shillings rent a year - but he always gave it back to the band fund at Christmas

In September 1926, still with only 15 or 16 players, the band decided to try its luck at contests. The band entered a contest on what is now the Romsey Community School premises at Priestlands. Five other bands took part and Tom Topp conducted. Stan Topp's memory of the event was: "Twas a big lash-up". The Romsey Advertiser reported the adjudicator's comments: The band started too soon ...... the euphonium solo was choppy .... the moderato was carelessly played altogether .... finale not good. "More care is needed," he said, giving Michelmersh 64 marks, leaving it last. Lockerley won that day, and there has been friendly rivalry between the two bands ever since.

A few years later the Band tried again and soon could chande its name to Michelmersh Silver Prize Band. Tom Topp was still bandmaster, but probably with contests in mind, had introduced the bands first conductor - Harry Lawrence. Having served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Harry was a strict discplinarian with an eye for deportment. He is also remembered for his unique demonstrations to show how little pressure is needed to sound a note on a cornet. He would hang an instrument from the ceiling on a piece of string and get the bandsmen to try to play it while holding a broom handle behind their backs!

His methods must have paid off, however, for almost immediately the band recorded its first victory in a Wessex Brass Band Association festival at Victoria Park, Salisbury in May 1932, with Harry Lawrence conducting. It came first in its section for musical selection, third for the March and Frank Harris won a medal as the best soprano player. Someone telephoned the news back to the village and when the band returned home they were astonished to see flags across the road at the top of Michelmersh Hill, and villagers gathered to welcome them. It had not happened before, and has not happened since - although they have recieved one other triumphant welcome...

...with giraffes!