Burnett’s Face brass band

Burnett’s Face brass band

This band (plus dog) was photographed in 1914, at Burnett’s Face on the Denniston plateau. This site was named after James Burnett, who first discovered coal there in 1863. Many West Coast miners came from the coal-mining centres of northern England, particularly Durham and Northumberland. They often brought their traditions with them, such as a Methodist faith, a belief in unionism, and a liking for brass bands.