The history of Toddington Town Band is a long and proud one. The first reference to the Band was in an issue of the Dunstable Chronicle dated 1856. The next reference appears in the Dunstable Borough Gazette, of 1865. By 1910 Toddington Town Band was appearing under its first appointed conductor, Mr James Hyde,who conducted the band for 41 years until his death in 1951.

Under James Hyde's baton, Toddington Town Band achieved competition success many times, including a contest win at Reading in 1937, runners up in the 1947 Area contest, and a national 3rd in The Grand Shield (Belle Vue Contest), Manchester. When James died, his son Dennis took up the baton and led the band until his own death in 1982.

Toddington Town Band emerged in its current formation in 1987. Players from local bands became bored with contesting, and consulted Beryl Hyde, Dennis' widow, about reforming the Band. Together they approached local music teacher, Kevin Nicholls. Kevin took the Junior and Senior bands until John Farmer, our current conductor, took up the baton.

Currently the Band has between 30 and 40 playing members and is growing still. In high demand, our engagements list includes fixtures like village fetes in Wing, Streatley and of course the Toddington Village Fete as well as many annual concerts. We are in great demand - particularly around Christmas!

We meet every Tuesday in the Toddington Sports and Social Club, on the High Street in Toddington and are always looking for new members. Everyone is welcome, of whatever age or musical skill. Experienced musicians from within the band offer free tuition to those who wish to learn to play, and we have a Youth Band for younger members conducted by our Principal Solo Horn Player, Andrea Tompkins.