Leicester’s brass band music controversy of 1856
An outdoor concert in Leicester in 1856 caused outrage and some people ended up in court.
On a Sunday afternoon in 1856 thousands of people turned up at Leicester’s Victoria Park – then used for horse racing - to hear a brass band concert.
This event prompted outrage from many people in the city as Sunday was deemed a holy day, and music performed outside of church services was frowned upon. The issue caused a huge row, and some people even ended up in the law courts over it.
BBC Leicester’s Ben Jackson went to find out more with Ned Newitt from Leicester Secular Society.
Produced by Pete Wardman.
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Image: Postcard of Victoria Park Bandstand 1905
