Early records indicate that a band became formed in line with the newly sunk Risca North Colliery in 1871. Mr. William Palmer (born 1850 in Kinver, near Dudley) served his music apprenticeship with the London and South Wales Colliery Company, firstly in the Forest of Dean, and later with the North Risca Colliery. Mr. Palmer was appointed to the first ever bandmaster position. This was unusual at the time, this being a paid position. Three days a week were spend composing, arranging and writing for the band, and the remainder of the week was spent undertaking clerk duties in what was known as the “Chaff House”.
As was, and still is common with brass bands, there are many family ties. Mr. Palmer’s son, William Jnr was known to be mascot for Risca Town Military Band, and later two other relatives (Ivor King and Bryn Mainwaring) both played cornet for the band in the 1920’s and 30’s respectively. William’s great grandson, Darryl Rees still has connections to the band today. Other noted members within the band over these periods were the Reeves and the Mitchum families.
Risca North continued to grow in size until approximately 1900, where it was decided that the area should be known as Crosskeys, rather than a suburb of Risca Town. The name Risca North can still be seen today on a signpost near to the Pandy Park Complex.
Crosskeys Silver Band was formed in the early 1900’s formed with men and boys who worked in the collieries in the area, Risca Colliery in Crosskeys, the band was known as Nine Mile Point Colliery Band when they entered competitions in 1920/30 s.
They first practised in the Primitive Methodist Hall, Crosskeys, in 1902 under the conductorship of Mr. M.W. Treasure. Many of the band members who formed Crosskeys Prize Band on its formal inauguration (1902) came from the Risca North Colliery Band, and as the photos show, many also played for Risca Town Military Band. During the General Strike the band toured the then County of Monmouthshire raising money for the soup kitchens.
In 1926 with support form the Treasure family, Crosskeys Silver Band was from under its new conductor, Mr. J. Buckmaster who had previously been the Principal Cornet.
Following the Second World War the band moved to the local pub, The Tredegar Arms Hotel (known locally as the Monkey) where the band practiced in rooms above.
The band always had a close involvement with Crosskeys Rugby Football Club, regularly playing before matches. A popular favourite “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” could often be heard playing at these matches. The link with the Rugby Club saw the band subsequently move to a band room at the Rugby Club complex in 1963. This was financed by fundraising locally and the land granted by the Collieries Committee.
The year of 1967 saw a complete revamp of both committee and band, and success soon followed. The band competed at the National Championships of 1968/69, and an Eisteddfod win in 1968. The band also became champions in both South and West Wales contests in that year. The youth band also saw success during this period, becoming county champions in 1969 and 1970.
In the early 1980’s the new A467 trunk road was constructed adjacent to the existing Pandy Park complex. To allow for this the Ebbw River had to be diverted and unfortunately the band’s rehearsal room was demolished to make way for the project. However, the local District Council and County Council agreed to provide a new and up to date rehearsal room at an adjacent location in Pandy Park, along with the also affected Rugby Club. This was when the band moved into their current home. In 1982 the New Band Headquarters was officially opened by My Harry Mortimer, with the Rt. Hon. Neil Kinnock and the then conductor Mr. Nigel E Weeks. Mr Weeks went on to become World renowned in Brass Banding, conducting many Championship section Bands in the UK, and many other well renowned bands throughout the World.
Over the years, the band has had numerous conductors, many of which worked in the local collieries of the area. These were all self taught musicians. Among the conductors the band has engaged were John Childs, the father of the two famous Euphonium soloists, and also conductors of many top bands including Black Dyke and Cory. Both Robert and Nicholas Childs both started their banding careers playing under their father at Crosskeys, before moving to join Tredegar Band and later a number of Yorkshire based bands.
During the the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the previous mentioned Nigel Weeks (then Principal Trombone with Tredegar Town Band) joined Crosskeys Silver Band to start his conducting career. He was appointed the conductor for both the Senior Band, and moved to form a learners, intermediate and junior band. This involved ninety young musicians, the youngest being aged seven.
The Junior Band gained a number of successes. In 1981, the band were Gwent Youth Champions and competed in the National Festival of Music for Youth, held at Fairfield Hall, Croydon. The result of the competition saw the band highly commended, which led to an invitation to play at the Schools Promenade Concert held at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1981. The band also appeared on Yorkshire television (Best of Brass) in Bradford and engaged Jim Davies, Principal Cornet with the Cory Band as soloist.
The Senior Band also had a number of successes. In 1980, promotion was achieved to the second section of the South East Wales Brass Band Grading System and had a number of favourable results. The band were awarded first place at the Welsh Brass Band Regional Contest in Swansea in the Second Section, first place at the Treorchy Contest in the November event, third place at the Pontins Easter Festival at Bream Sands, first place at the Annual Miners Gala Contest in Cardiff, and First Place in Marching and Second Place in The Weston-Super-Mare Contest. All of this was under the musical direction of Mr. Nigel Weeks.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s the band continued to compete with varying degrees of success. Numerous Musical Directors oversaw the musical direction of the band.
In the early to mid 1990’s the band (along with many other bands) saw difficult times, and were close to disbanding on more than one occasion. It was thanks to the loyalty, dedication and commitment of its Officers, Committee and a nucleus of loyal players that Crosskeys Silver Band was kept alive.
During the late 1990’s the band engaged the services of Mr. Kerry Bowden, who agreed to help the band by becoming the new Musical Director. Under his leadership the band grew and gained a number of successes. This included qualification for the 1998 National Finals in Harrogate Conference Centre, qualification for the 2000 National Finals in The Royal Albert Hall, London. Under Mr. Bowden’s leadership the band saw numerous Welsh Regional top three placings (including two first place awards) and many other successes from Eisteddfod wins to various contest placings UK wide. This included five times qualification to the National Finals of Great Britain. Mr. Bowden continued to direct the band until 2014, totalling a period of eighteen years with the band.
The band continued under the leadership of Benjamin Atkinson, and later Mike Davies in 2016. This involved a number of concerts, and contests over the four-year period.
In 2018 the band engaged the services of Sion Rhys Jones, then 2nd Euphonium with Cory Band and later Principal Euphonium with Tredegar Town Band. His Musical Directorship lasted six years until 2024. This period once again saw success return, including Welsh Regional Champions in the third section in 2023, and numerous other placings at local and National Competitions. Under Mr. Jones, the band qualified for the National Championships of Great Britain on three occasions. It was during the finals that the band received their highest placing in a National Final, achieving 2nd place in the 2023 finals.
The band has seen a number of misfortunes in recent years. Although the current band HQ is a relatively modern building sadly there has been two issues of flooding, once in 2020 during storm Dennis and then again in November 2024, during storm Bert. In 2020, three foot of water entered the bandroom destroying a lot of music and equipment. This led to a large undertaking of work to prevent future losses should there be a repeat of flooding.
In early 2020, the band was forced to stop all activities, including rehearsals in line with legislation and recommendations following the outbreak of COVID-19. This saw the band stop activities, and only meet virtually to catchup and in some instances hold virtual rehearsals! The band gradually returned to rehearsals in 2021 after a year of being apart.
In 2024, Storm Bert once again caused widespread flooding to the Pandy Park complex, including the bandroom. The 2020 preventative works managed to prevent a lot of damage to music and equipment. Following the 2024 incident, further preventative work was carried out based on the lessons learned from the most recent occurrence of flooding.
In early 2025, the band appointed Mr. Dave Collins as Musical Director.
In summary, the band has a history spanning back to 1871. The band has had highs and lows throughout its existence, the highs being qualification for the National Finals of Great Britain on eleven occasions (some bands have never qualified). The band continues to perform in concerts and contests and hopes to for decades to come.