Fortunately, 3 years after the colliery opened in 1871, it was recorded in song that Wardley had a brass band in 1874. William Dunbar, a local man who's talent for songs and recitations was printed in book form before he died at the early age of 21 years, had written "The Wardley Band" expressly to be sung at a concert on January 31st 1874 in aid of their funds. Luckily, among its Geordie verses, it names Mr.Clemitson as probably it's first conductor.
Ten years later the band had a new conductor. A Grand Dress Ball was given at Wardley on 1st March 28th 1884 by members of the Brass Band under the leadership of Mr.A.Taylor. Mr.J.R.Cook discharged the duties of Captain, Mr.M.King as M.C and refreshments by Mr.G.Clark. The Proceeds of the event went to purchasing new instruments for the band. Shortly afterwards, in May, a large meeting took place in a local field attended by nearly 500 people from Wardley and Bill Quay. The Chair was occupied by Mr. John Errington, the colliery checkweighman (many years later his daughter had a well known shop in Pelaw called "Lucy's"). The Wardley Brass Band arrived at the meeting place after parading through Wardley to attract a large number of people. The meeting had been called in an attempt to secure a reprieve for William Siddler and Joseph Lowson who were under the sentence of death at Durham jail for the murder of Sergeant Smith at Butterknowle, near Bishop Auckland. A petition and resolution, seconded by Mr.J.Greenwell and carried unanimously, was sent to the Home Secretary signed by 400 people requesting that the death penalty be suspended and the case reconsided due to doubtful evidence of wilful murder and among other things, that the police doctors had been drunk!
The members of Wardley Colliery Reading Room held their 5th annual sports day in July 1884 in a field adjoining the colliery and the Brass Band was again in attendance. The Wardley branch of the Durham Miners Association had their annual sports day one Saturday in June 1888. The Brass Band had been engaged for the day and started off from the Post Office and played on the way to a field near the White Mare Pool where the sports events took place. Mr.John Errington also prepared the programme for the following year when the band played music during the afternoon under the Leadership of Mr.Taylor.
Tom Pickering, who was a popular Wardley bandmaster, was born in Shankhouse, Northumberland, where his father was the village schoolmaster. He came to Wardley in 1891 and became the Band's conductor after three years. Due to a change in occupation, he left 8 years later but during his leadership the Band had won nine prizes. In later years, he was again to take up the baton for the Band. One of the band members was Toni Yates who became conductor after Mr.Pickering passed away at his home in King Street, Pelaw, in the early 1940's.
Newton Lisgo Senior became the next Band master. The Lisgo family came to Wardley around 1909 from Langley Park where the waggonway was very rough and wet and did not suit their father.  The pit manager's work reference describes Mr.Lisgo as a "splendid pitman, he is one of the most regular attenders at his work as well as one of the most capable and reliable I have met for many years. He is a splendid waggonway timberer. The youngest son, Newton, is a very good pony putter and his two step sons, Thomas and John Laing are very good hewers". It was said that Newton could play music at two years of age and that talent stayed with him all his life. He had his own concertina band and the family would go to Mr.Garvey's to hear him when he was occasionally on the radio.
At the Jubilee celebrations in 1935 the Band gave a free dance at the miners Hall. Later that year the Band started to play musical events around Wardley and nearby districts in an effort to raise funds to enable them to compete at the Crystal Palace Band Concerts. They had been accepted in the Junior Shield, Section C. competition.
During World War II, when many members joined the forces, Newton brought young boys into the band as members. It was not unusual for him to arrive home after a shift at the pit to find three or four young men waiting in the living room for a music lesson, There were many times when Mrs.Lisgo's patience must have been tested. The Lodge contribution and the band income sometimes did not meet its expenses. The band instruments were bought from Boosey and Hawkes in Newcastle and Mr. Halcrow, their agent, would collect the weekly payments at the Lisgo home. If the payment was short Newton would pay the difference out of his own pocket, much to the annoyance of his wife!
On April 8th 1948, the members of the Felling Silver Band and Wardley Colliery Band decided to join together and be known as "Wardley Colliery Band". The officials that were elected were President, Mr.J.Rushford, Chairman, Mr.B.Carmichael, Secretary, Mr.W.H.Cusack, Treasurer, Mr.N Lisgo Jnr., Conductor Newton Lisgo Senior. The Band again attended Durham Miners Gala on July 24th and played their own composition the "Follonsby Banner" to and from the assembly field. It was also decided the following year to start a Band uniform fund. Approximately £300 was required and to raise funds the Band gave street performances and had collections. Some of the amounts were:

Donations had also been received from Bill Quay Social Club £1 ls, Heworth Constitutional Club £2 2s, Dr.Molly Miller £2, Mr.H.Sharp, Pelaw 10s and many others. Concerts in the Miners Welfare Hall and jumble sales were held and they were successful in raising the full amount and the band received its new dark navy blue uniforms on April 5th 1950. One of their first engagements was to play at St.James Park for the football fans. They also entertained the crowds at Sunderland Illuminations by playing in the bandstand at Seaburn Park.
On February 19th 1950, the band had entered "The Durham League" C Section contest at Spennymoor. They were placed 2nd, and won the Ouston Cup and a £12 cash prize.
To raise money for the Old People's Treat Fund, a Grand Concert was given at the Miners Welfare on May 15th 1950 which was attended by 300 people to hear the band conducted by Newton Lisgo and the Wardley Male Voice Choir conducted by Mr.R.Scarr. On Christmas Eve the Band visited the High Lanes Estate Felling and were at Wardley on Christmas Day to play a selection of favourite carols and hymns. The Band members and their wives were then invited by one of the Vice-Presidents Mr.A.Chapman to a supper in his cafe at the White Mare Pool on Christmas Eve. 
Another concert was given in July 1951 in aid of the Easington pit disaster fund. It was a great success and £30 15s was raised.
Early in 1953, the Band won the Northern Area Championship and in August it was decided to enter the Daily Herald national band concert at Belle Vue, Manchester. Wardley won, beating the other 14 contestants in the 3rd Section. The following April the Herald contest was held at Gateshead Town Hall and the band's test piece was the overture "Glastonbury". The contest solo was played by 12~ year old John Iley who had joined the previous year. Sadly, they did not win this event on home ground. Mr.Lisgo also entered a competition for a coronation march for Queen Elizabeth 11 and made it to the last six from the hundreds which were sent in from all over the country.

Wardley Colliery Band ended it's day's about 1961 and the band members allowed to keep their instruments. A commemorative watch was presented to Newton Lisgo with the words "Presented to Mr.Lisgo, Conductor Wardley Band 1927-61 by Wardley Miners". His remaining years were spent looking after children as a lollipop man at Heworth school. He passed away at his home in Lingey Gardens in 1974 of the miners disease pnumosilicosis.