For over one hundred and fifty years, from at least the 1880s until the early 1990s, select men (soldiers at times), boys, and girls of the village who could play an instrument, and were willing to freeze their fingers playing carols, formed Brailes Silver & Brass Bands. They played the major events in the village but also travelled to play around the area, and as far as Devon and Wales. Two World Wars took their toll and a falling number of those interested meant it was no longer feasible to continue. The last Bandmaster was David Clemons, and the instruments were returned to their owners.

The [recorded] history of Brailes Brass Band goes back to [at least] 1911 and a photo of the band playing outside Miss Gurney’s home in Lower Brailes, dressed in the discarded uniforms of Sibford Band, that is the header image of this page. Those known at the time were William Warmington (solo cornet) and Bandmaster, Danny Hemmings, Leonard Box, Raymond Box, Harry Woodward, and Alfred Cummings. [Miss Gurney purchased a completely new set of uniforms the same year] and they reappeared, resplendent in their new uniforms and played again as a thank you to the lady well-known for many small charitable acts during her lifetime. – Alfred Woodward, Page 160, A Pictorial History of Brailes, Lower Brailes, Part 1.