The great Mr Halliwell (he was always known as Mr) won the title on 17 occasions and was the most successful conductor at the British Open during the 20th Century. His parents wanted him to be an organist, but he first became a cornet player of repute before branching out into the conducting stakes in the late 1890’s.

His first win came in 1910 with Fodens, seven years after his debut, and for the next 17 years he was nigh on unbeatable at the contest. He won four in a row between 1910 and 1913, did the hat trick between 1926 and 1928 and rounded things off with a six in a row flourish between 1931 and 1936. He conducted all the top bands and won the title with Fodens, Hebden Bridge, Wingates, Besses and most famously of all, Brighouse and Rastrick.

He too, conducted multple bands on the contest stage on the day, including five of the top six prizes in 1913 as well as leading four other bands out of the prize list.

View William Halliwell’s record on Brass Band Results