The Joseph Haslam that is under consideration should not be confused with the prominent manufacturer who also lived in Preston at the same time. Joseph Haslam, of Haslam’s Quadrille Band was born in Northumberland around 1796 and after spending a considerable time in the Army he retired to Preston, Lancashire. He was responsible for providing music for a great number of varied social events over a period from 1835 with his Quadrille Band and
a little later with a band of unknown numbers or instrumentation that was hired to lead processions of great variety.
The census for 1841 shows him living at 1, Garden Street, Preston, aged about
45, an Army Pensioner. He was at this same address, still with no relatives, in 1851 when he was described as a Chelsea Pensioner. However his status is most significantly raised in the context under consideration when in the Directory of Mid-Lancashire for 1854 his
occupation is given as bandmaster. Joseph Haslam does not appear in the
Directories for the period of his musical activity, presumably because he was
not the householder, or perhaps because the earnings from his new found career
might have had an adverse effect on his army pension.
Haslam's
Quadrille Band played at The Assembly Rooms for a great variety of patrons over the
following years; the Conservative Ball in 1837, the Catholic Temperance Society
in 1843, St Augustine's Ball in 1845, the Coach makers' Ball in 1847 and the
Oddfellows' Ball in 1859. They performed at other venues including The Fox
Street School and, in 1844, out of town at Lytham Hall for a wedding. In the
papers deposited at the Lancashire Records Office is one written by J. Haslam to
J. Fair Esquire of Lytham Hall. (DDCL 1187/14). In it Mr. Haslam is replying to
enquiry about the band and responded in the following manner: - "I
received your letter this morning and I beg to inform you that my band can
attend on the day named. If I be engaged I shall bring a full and
efficient Quadrille Band, accompanied by the harp, the charge for which will be
£12. The sum named includes all expenses, but we shall expect some little
refreshment in the ballroom. If you be in want of a Military Band, I can
furnish you with the best that Preston affords. I am Sir, Yours Respectfully, J.
Haslam" In
addition to the Quadrille Band which would seem to be confined to the ballroom
Joseph Haslam led a promenading band on a number of occasions such as the
Regatta in 1846 when "About twelve o'clock Mr. Joseph Haslam, with a very
efficient band, left the Town Hall, and proceeded to the river, took up their
position on a number of "flats", on the opposite side of the Ribble,
which they occupied most part of the afternoon, playing the most lively of
tunes." The promenading band was described as a brass band when they played
at the Gala Day at
Whittle-le-Woods
June
1848 and Haslam's Band also led the procession at the foundation stone
ceremony of the new All Saints schoolrooms in November that year. Mr.
Haslam could, it seems, provided music for any occasion.
When
Haslam's Band occupied the orchestra at the Oddfellows' Ball in January 1859
the columnist of the Preston Chronicle felt it necessary to comment that
"It smacks of old times to speak of Haslam's band, but on Monday evening Mr.
Joseph Haslam was again in the orchestra, ably fulfilling the duties of his old
post of conductor of music for quadrilles, and waltzes, and polkas. Mr. Haslam
some years ago retired from the world of music and dancing, but it appears he
has again organized a corps of musicians, with whose assistance he proposes to
cater for the enjoyment of Terpsichorean
pleasures."
The
last recorded engagement of Haslam's Quadrille Band in the Preston Chronicle is
the Independent Oddfellows Ball in the Assembly Rooms on the 9th of January
1860. The aim of the gathering was to raise funds for the Widow and Orphan
Fund and the price was kept low for the especial behoof (benefit) of
the working classes. Some 500 attended and "After tea, Haslam's band
officiated, and played a number of lively tunes to accompany the Terpsichorean gyrations
of the company, which were to continue to the customary hour the following
morning, three o'clock, when many were reluctant to depart."
Joseph Haslam died
at his lodgings in Garden Street on the 10th July 1860. Like several of his
fellow bandleaders he had a military attachment and was described on his death
as former bandmaster of the 3rd Royal Lancashire Militia.
