THE days of the popular Pressed Steel Band ended with the Government’s ‘three-day week’ policy in the 1970s.

In its heyday, the band, based at the Cowley car body plant, performed many concerts and took part in numerous competitions.

We were reminded of its success when reader Robert Harris sent in this picture, identifying most of the musicians (Memory Lane, October 3 2011).

Now another reader has supplied three of the missing names – one definite, Denis Webster, and two possible, Bill Francis and ‘Banger Harding’.

He or she writes: “The fine band was unfortunately a victim of the three-day week.

“The band was not allowed to practise in the factory. Alternative arrangements were made elsewhere which did not work out, and the band folded.”

The three-day week was introduced in 1973 to conserve coal and electricity supplies after the miners went on strike in protest at the decision of Prime Minister Edward Heath’s Government to cap pay- rises to try to reduce high rates of inflation.

Rather than risk a total shutdown of industry, working time was reduced to prolong dwindling fuel stocks.

Mr Harris, of Crozier Close, Botley, Oxford, recalled that the band was conducted by Don Lewis.

He wrote: “I am the first left in the second row and the youngster behind me in the top row is Robert Ferriman, who is now a successful orchestral trumpet player.

“Second from the right in the second row is Mike Pegram, who went on to a distinguished career in a military band, rising to become a musical director.

“There were many characters in the band, but only half are still with us today. They were great days!”

Any more memories of the band to share with readers?