The Preston Chronicle for 5th July 1845 tells us that The Oddfellows of the
Pleasant Retreat Lodge met at the Exchange Rooms where a portion of the
excellent COLLINSON'S BAND played. This was a typical situation where a smaller
unit from a brass band played indoors to provide music of a louder volume than
the quadrille bands in larger indoor venues.
A report in the Preston Chronicle on the 17th January 1846 describes the scene
at the the Exchange Rooms where a fund raising tea party was held in aid of St.
Ignatius's Boy's Schools. "Tea being over, the rooms were cleared for
dancing and promenading. The band (COLLINSON'S) strikes up, and a thousand
twinkling feet are in motion, dancing without cessation, in every mood and
measure."
In the Preston Guardian of Saturday 6th June 1846 there is an interesting report
of an afternoon's wrestling at the rear of the Dog and Partridge on Friargate.
Some 2,000 persons attended, viewing from rooftops and other vantage points.
"COLLINSON'S BRASS BAND was on the ground enlivening the assemblage with
favourite airs in their best style." In the Preston Pilot for 2nd June 1849
there is a report of the procession at Garstang where the CHIPPING BAND and
COLLINSON'S BAND played.
In August 1850 COLLINSON'S BAND, together with the NATIONAL SCHOOL BAND, walked
in procession with some 1,570 workpeople employed by Horrocks, Miller and Co, as
they made their way to Maudland Station to travel to Blackpool. On arriving at
Blackpool the holidaymakers walked in procession, accompanied by the two bands,
to the beach where, in addition to having donkey rides and suchlike, a
considerable number of lads and lasses enjoyed a merry dance on to the lively
strains of COLLINSON'S BAND."