John Henry Iles honoured with a Blue Plaque
A Blue Plaque is to be unveiled in Bristol to mark the life and achievements of the great John Henry Iles.
One of the most famous figures in the history of the British brass band movement is to be honoured with a Blue Plaque in his home city of Bristol.
John Henry Iles was born in 1871 and is famed for being the one time owner of the British Bandsman newspaper, R Smith & Co and the founder of the National Brass Band Championships.
He was also very successful in the park business becoming a managing director of Belle Vue Gardens and Zoo in Manchester and also the British Open Brass Band Championships.
A little-known fact is that John Henry Iles had an alter ego that saw him play first class cricket for Gloucester in 1890 alongside the great WG Grace.
The unveiling of the plaque will be attended by members of the Worshipful Company of Musicians (who award the annual Iles Medal in his honour) as well as family members. The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Lesley Alexander will preside over the ceremony at his matrimonial home on Sunday, 29th April.
The City of Bristol Band will perform music at the event, with Band Chairman, Steve Ellis commenting: "This wonderful event came through a chance conversation between one of our members and his former neighbour, who had been researching the inventor Gordon Iles (John Henry's son) and then became interested in his father.
We are delighted to have been able to help see the project through and mark the occasion with a short concert for this important local man who did so much to promote and develop the cultural phenomenon of brass banding in the UK."
The ceremony takes place on Sunday, 29th April (3.00pm) in St. Andrews Park, Sommerville Road, Bishopston, Bristol.
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