History of UKFJB
& World Championships
How did it all begin?
The very first World Championships was held at Alexandra Palace in London on 24th August 1974. The competition was the brainchild of Garfield Bishop (MBE) from the Valley League of Jazz Bands in Wales. His idea was to hold an annual competition bringing together some of the top UK bands.
North Shields Grenadiers - Junior World Champions - 1974
At the time many venues were looked at including the Royal Albert Hall in London, which back in 1974 would have cost £1500.00 to hire. A lot of organisation resulted in the finals being confirmed at Alexandra Palace in London. The competition was only held over one day and a total of 46 bands competed at this historical event.
Below is the programme that was sent to bands for the 1974 competition.
Liaising with the London Police and the AA, Garfield arranged a road march which allowed the bands to march along one of London's ceremonial routes. This had both mounted and foot police of The Royal & Ceremonial Division from Cannon Row Police Station lining the route.
The parade started at Temple Place and commenced along Charing Cross, The Embankment, Westminister Bridge, York Road, Chicheley Street finishing at Belvedere Road.
UKFJB Timeline......
1973 - First England v Wales competition was held.
1974 - First World Championships held at Alexandra Palace, London.
1976 - Garfield Bishop, Ann Cann, John Reid, Margaret & Ron Stokes, Robin Woodyatt, Allan Rogers and John O'Shaunessy held a meeting in Hednesford, West Midlands and formed the United Kingdom Federation of Jazz Bands (UKFJB).
1977 - UKFJB headquarters was opened in Ystrad Mynach, Wales with Allan Rogers as Chief Executive Officer with the title of National Secretary.
1978/79 - Robin Woodyatt was elected from secretary to UKFJB Administration Officer, Garfield Bishop elected as President and John O'Shaunessy was elected UKFJB Chairman. It was decided that two Vice Chairperson's be elected which was John Read and Len Walker.
1978 - Garfield Bishop was elected as Honorary Life President of the Movement in April.
1978 - The first UKFJB championships were held in October.
1979 - Regional Committee's were set up in April and Vice Chairmans elected. Arfon Henderson elected for South Wales, William Coatham for the North East, John Read for West Midlands, G Chamberlain for East Midlands. G Chamberlain resigned November 1979 and Harry Smith was elected as Regional Officer and Chairman of the East Midlands Regional Committee.
1980 - At the AGM in April it was passed that General Management Council of the Federation would consist of Chairman, Vice Chairman, National Secretary, Administration Officer. Duly elected was Robin Woodyatt, Administration Officer, John O'Shaunessy Chairman, Arwyn Evans Vice Chairman, Allan Rogers still held position as National Secretary.
The decision was made there would be Regional Committees set up and as from this date the 4 Vice Chairman would be known as Regional Chairperson to be elected by their own Regional Committee's. Ann Cann elected as Regional Chairperson for West Midlands, Harry Smith Regional Chairman for East Midlands, William Coatham for Northern Alliance. It was decided that Yorkshire becomes a Region of its own.
1981 - In April AGM William Coatham was elected as UKFJB Chairman, Vice Chairman elected John Read, Robin Woodyatt remained Administration Officer. Allan Rogers position as National Secretary was re-affirmed for a term of 5 years from November 1977 & Gerry Foxton Regional Chairman for Northern Alliance.
1981 - The UKFJB Constitution was registered.
1982 - Garfield Bishop was elected as Administrative Officer.
1983 - Steve Berrill elected as Regional Chairman for East Midlands.
1983 - Margaret Paxton was elected as Vice Chairperson.
1984 - David Lorimer elected as Regional Chairman for East Midlands, & Geoff Rhodes for Yorkshire and Lancashire.
1985 - Danny Wilson elected as Regional Chairman for North East Region.
1987 - Barry Mason elected as West Midlands Regional Chairman, David Lorimer East Midlands Regional Chairman, Geoff Rhodes Yorkshire Lancashire Regional Chairman, Arfon Henderson South Wales Regional Chairman, and Danny Wilson North East Regional Chairman.
1987 - Election took place for the UKFJB National Secretary, Danny Wilson was elected and the UKFJB headquarters moved to Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.
1987 - Janice Pearce was elected for Northern Region, Peter Lee Yorkshire Lancashire Region and John Coates South Wales Regional Chairman.
1988 - John Johnson was elected as Regional Chairman North East Region, and Gordon Young Regional Chairman Trent.
1989 - Winnie Garbutt was elected as Regional Chairman for West Midlands and Trevor Mason Regional Chairman for West Midlands.
1990 - Danny Wilson passed away and Margaret Paxton was elected to finish Danny's term of office on 8th July 1990. John Coates elected as UKFJB Vice Chairman & Doreen Bell elected as South Wales Regional Chairperson.
1991 - Martin Harrison was elected as Regional Chairman for West Midlands and Phil Stock was North East Regional Chairman.
1991 - Margaret Paxton was elected as National Secretary for the 5 years and Steven Staniforth Regional Chairman for Trent Region.
1994 - Jean Dunlop was elected as North East Regional Chairperson and Arthur Bates Midlands Regional Chairman.
1994 - Jean Dunlop passed way in December.
1995 - Carol Mee was elected as Regional Chairperson for Northern Region.
1994 - Afron Henderson was elected as South Wales Regional Chairman.
1996 - Tom Maxwell was Regional Chairman for Yorkshire/Lancashire, Dai Brannan was Regional Chairman for South Wales and Dave Robertson was Regional Chairman for Midlands.
1996 - William Coatham passed away and in July 1996 Due to the sudden death of William Coatham, In July John Coates was elected UKFJB Chairman and Dave Robertson elected as Vice Chairman for Midlands
1998 - George Speed elected as Chairman for New Midlands Region.
1999 - Julie Grant was elected as Regional Chairperson for Yorkshire/Lancashire, John Coates stepped down as UKFJB Chairman and Dave Robertson was elected. Steven Staniforth elected as UKFJB Vice Chairman, and Gary Fever elected as Field Officer, Garfield Bishop took up his position as Honorary President.
2000 onwards coming soon.....