Swindon Pegasus Brass Band is the oldest established musical organisation in Swindon and is currently in the First Section amongst the most elite bands in the Country. In the 1980s the Band appeared at the National Championships of Great Britain held at the Royal Albert Hall finishing in the 9th position, the highest position ever for a Wiltshire Band. In recent times the Band were the 1995 West of England 1st Section Champions qualifying for the National Finals.

The band was formed in 1907 from the Wesleyan Chapel Orchestra in Gorse Hill. Originally known as the Swindon (Gorse Hill) Brass Band, by 1926 all of the members of the band were employees of the Great Western Railway. Thus began an association with the Railway that lasted for more than 40 years, initially as the GWR (Swindon) Social and Educational Union Silver Band and then as the British Railways (Western Region) Staff Association Band. For most of that period the band rehearsed in the Mechanics Institute in the Railway Village.

With the closure of the Railway works and Mechanics Institute in the 80s, the band became part of the Thamesdown Community Arts Project and changed its name to Swindon Concert Brass. Then, in 1989 began a five year sponsorship with Readers Digest, changing its name to Swindon Pegasus Brass. Although no longer sponsored by Readers Digest the Band has retained the same name.

During this period the band took on something of a nomadic existance, moving from the Mechanics Institute to the Town Hall, until the dance studios became established in the Town Hall. The Band then moved briefly back to the Mechanics Institute until that was closed, when it moved to the British Legion Club in Havelock Square. After several years there, the Band was again made homeless with the closure of the Legion, and it took up residence in Purton Stoke village hall. Finally, in the early 90s the Band began rehearsing in the old Co-op in Stratton St Margaret.

The Band's current home is now its permanent place of residence, as it now owns its own purpose-converted premises in Stratton St Margaret. With the aid of a Lottery grant, the band was able to purchase and renovate the Co-op building, which was formally opened by Sir Malcolm Arnold in 1995.

If you have any information relating to the history of the Band, or interested in researching the Band in more detail as it moves into it's second centenary, please contact the Band at info@swindonpegasus.com

For the oldest pictures currently available of the Band, go to the last page of the Gallery...

Also, read the full story of the Band's Ceremonial Baton being returned.