Roller skating was a pastime that became very popular in Britain in the second half of the nineteenth century. The initial skating rinks were established in London in the 1850’s and, with the introduction of the ‘modern’ roller skate in the 1870’s the craze took off, with rinks being opened in all the major towns and cities. Many of these establishments had bands to provide music for the skaters – either professional bands that were engaged for a season, or ad hoc arrangements with local bands/groups.