CITY AND SUBURBAN CHRISTMAS BANDS’ UNION
A Brief History
In 1939, Mr A Davidson founded the Combined Bands Union assisted by Mrs Colly Benjamin and Mr F Nicholson with the aim of raising funds for the Cape Corps Relief Fund and the Palmerston Primary School.
In 1942, Mr Davidson, assisted by Mrs Benjamin started the Surburban Xmas Band Union with the affiliation of seven bands. Competitions were held at the Princeton Sportsground and in the Wynberg Town Hall. On 28th February 1942, a competition was held with the following Bands participating:
Cape Town Vagabonds, Young Belgians, Trojans, Bloemhof Crusaders Woodstock Orientals Salt River Europhrasions, Royal Crusaders Claremont Young Guiding Stars Wynberg St Joseph Diep River Morning Stars, Midnight Star, Arcadians Grassy Park Leading Star
Due to the great interest shown by the Cape Town bands, the City and Suburban Union was formed on 23rd March 1942 with Mr A Davidson as the chairman. At this stage, seventeen bands were affiliated to the Union.
In later years, under the chairmanship of Mr Norman Isaacs, the City and Suburban Union assisted several charities such as the Maitland Cripple Home, School Feeding Scheme, Coalbrook Disaster Fund and the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. The City and Suburban Union can be regarded as the nursery for the formation of other Unions which resulted in more competitions and a greater membership.
On Sunday 26th January 1975, the City and Suburban Union held it’s 33rd Annual Competition at the Athlone Stadium. The participating bands were: Star of Dawn (E. Marshall) St Joseph (W. Witbooi) Newlands Independent (M. Benjamin) Valiant Hearts (G. Hendricks) Young Christians (P. Cloete) Young Guiding Stars (AE. Davidson)
During the course of the latter years, the name was changed to the City and Suburban Christmas Bands’ Union which is still in existence.