An article in ‘Temperance in Northamptonshire’ confirms 1858 as the year of formation of the band. The article describes that Mr Nathaniel Smith a Director of Smith and Grace, Iron Foundry, Midland Road was very involved in the Temperance Society, believing that keeping the workforce occupied would stop them from spending money in the public houses:
“The iron works at Thrapston had a staunch teetotaller for owner (Mr Nathaniel Smith) and in 1858 his employees formed a Temperance Brass Band which did good service in the County”.

The same source also states that a tea was held on Easter Tuesday 1858 (April 6th), in Raunds and a grand procession which paraded the streets was headed by Mr N Smith’s band from Thrapston. It is likely that this was the first performance the newly formed band gave. Mr Smith’s son Nathaniel Junior was a great musician and conducted the band for many years.

The band was never sponsored by the factory in a monetary sense but was provided with accommodation for practices and storage. In 1938 they opened a new canteen that was built specifically with the band in mind with a specially designed ceiling to create the right acoustics.

Unfortunately in 1939 the band was temporarily suspended due to the 2nd World War which meant instruments, uniforms etc were all placed in storage until 1952. Mr. G R Nairns lead the band until 1970 at which point , Mr Ray Jeffery took over the position of Temporary Conductor. Ray conducted the band up to 2013 when he retired from conducting and went back to playing in the band. The band was then under the baton of Kevin Spencer.

For over 100 years the band practised at Smith & Grace in Midland Road. After a period of time with no permanent place to rehearse the band settled at Thrapston Primary School for several years. In January 2006 the band moved to the Dodson & Horrell site where the band was based until 2020.

In October 2019, Nathan Waterman was appointed the band’s Musical Director. Having started his playing career at Thrapston Town Band Nathan went on to a highly successful playing career including a long term position as Solo Horn at Championship Section band GUS. On returning to TTB it was his objective to lead the band into a new and exciting era.

The band made a return to contesting in the fourth section in 2020. In 2021 the band moved to a new rehearsal venue at the Morrisons Manufacturing facility in Thrapston. The band remains extremely grateful to Morrisons for the use of their premises during this difficult time. In 2023 it moved to the Ringstead Village Social Club where it has been made very welcome.

In 2022 the band achieved 3rd place in the Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships and came 2nd at the LBBA Open contest in Leicester.

The band celebrated its 165th year in 2023 and were crowned the Fourth Section Champion Band at the Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships.  The band were then invited to take part in the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain where it was awarded a credible 9th place.

Thrapston Town Band were subsequently promoted to the Third Section with effect from January 2024.

In December 2023, the band won the fourth section of the LBBA Contest (aka “The Leicester Contest”), playing their piece from the national finals, “A Saddleworth Festival Overture”.

In March 2024, the band won the Third Section of the Midland Regional Championships, with a confident performance of “Corineus” by Christopher Bond. Notably, this is the first time a Midlands-based band has ever achieved the feat of back-to-back wins in the Third and Fourth Sections.

In September 2024, the band represented the Midlands at the National Brass Band Championships, placing 12th (out of 20) in a strong field of bands from right across the UK. And the year was rounded off in style with yet another win at the LBBA “Leicester Contest” – this time in the Third Section.

Early in 2025, the band placed 3rd at the Midlands Regionals. With that success, we earned another entry to the National Finals – our third successive year at the National Finals, and with it, promotion to the Second Section (from January 2026). At the Nationals in September, the band placed 13th with the test-piece “Music From The Royal Palaces”.

Then in October 2025, the band won the LBBA “Leicester Contest” yet again – retaining the crown for the third year on the trot.

It’s fair to say that the last few years has been an unprecedented period in the band’s long history, with continued musical improvement and success. And 2026 will bring along new challenges as the band embarks on the much tougher “Second Section” of brass banding.

Yet despite all the success, the band’s ethos and values remain rooted within the community – enjoying performing at numerous events and concerts throughout the year, and bringing on the next generation of brass players through weekly “Learners Classes”, all of whom we’re extremely proud.