Believed formed 1840 at the factory of Jonas Brook and Brothers (Thread makers). Factory closed in 1939 but the firm of David Brown Tractors took over the band. The band was reformed after the Second World war as a public subscription band and adopted the the current name.

Update from Tony Clarke, Chairman and Trustee, 2020:
Our passed down information through families in the village is that Jonas Brook and Brothers took over the band in 1846 and founded it as a full Brass Band from an existing reed band. When Jonas Brook and Brothers closed in 1939 the band was transferred to David Brown Tractors but ownership of the instruments and music was retained by the J. B. and B. family. Towards the end of the war, due to shortage of players because of call up to the forces, the band activities were suspended. Shortly after the war ended the band was reformed by two former players, Jack Manchester and John Redfearn who were tasked with training new players and presenting a concert in the village and if successful all instruments and music the possession of which had been retained by the Brook family, would be handed over in trust to the village and the band would then be known as Meltham and Meltham Mills Subscription Band, and run by trustees for the benefit of the villages of Meltham and Meltham Mills