A wonderful collection of photographs shared by Stephen Mansfield has given us another fascinating glimpse into the history of The Cooperation Band, capturing the band during a memorable period in Glasgow in 1988.
At the time known as the CWS Glasgow Band, these images take us from the band’s rehearsal home at Dalintober Hall to an appearance at one of the biggest events in Glasgow’s modern history – the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival.
One set of photographs captures the CWS Glasgow Band rehearsing at Dalintober Hall in Glasgow, while an artist worked on sketches of the players.
Dalintober Hall was situated at the very top of the former Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society (SCWS) headquarters on Morrison Street. The old Victorian hall, with its large roof skylights flooding the room with natural light, was home to countless rehearsals and holds many memories from an important period in the band’s history.
The sketches being created during the rehearsal would later form part of a Co-op calendar featuring the band, providing another interesting connection between the band and the wider Co-operative movement.
It has been particularly special to hear the reactions of former members who were playing with the band at the time, some of whom had no idea these photographs had even been taken.
One image in particular captures Ronnie Irvine on Flugel Horn and, as one former member commented, manages to capture his unique personality perfectly.
Stephen has also shared further photographs of the CWS Glasgow Band performing at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988.
Held on the banks of the River Clyde, the Garden Festival became a landmark event for Glasgow and formed an important part of the transformation and regeneration of the city during the late 1980s.
For the CWS Glasgow Band, it was another opportunity to represent both the Co-operative movement and Glasgow through music, performing for audiences during an event that would become part of the city’s history.
Looking back at the photographs today provides a wonderful snapshot of not only the band, but Glasgow itself at a time of significant change.
For a band whose story stretches back to 1918, photographs such as these are incredibly important.
They don’t simply record the concerts, rehearsals, uniforms and venues of years gone by. They preserve the players, personalities, friendships and traditions that have shaped the organisation across generations.
From the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society Band, through the CWS Glasgow Band, to today’s The Cooperation Band, our name and surroundings may have changed, but the people and the music remain at the heart of our story.
We are extremely grateful to Stephen Mansfield for taking the time to share these superb photographs and helping us preserve another chapter of the band’s remarkable history.
We would also love to hear from former players, supporters and friends who remember Dalintober Hall or the Glasgow Garden Festival. If you recognise someone in the photographs or have a story from this period, please get in touch.
CWS Glasgow Band ➡️ The Cooperation Band
Over a century of music, history and memories – and still going strong.
📷 Photographs: Stephen Mansfield
