skip to Main Content

16 YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE

Sadly I have to report the retirement of yet another stalwart member of West Yorkshire Brass.
Ted Griffiths has decided to retire from playing with the band after 16 years of loyal service.

Ted began his career in 1949, playing cornet with local bands such as Birstall Old Prize Band, Ravensthorpe Subscription Band and Mirfield Silver Band, where he changed onto Soprano Cornet, and moved to play with Meltham and Meltham Mills Band.

In 1971 he took up conducting, beginning a period of some 19 years with the Yorkshire Bus Company Band, during which time they won many local, regional and national contests.

On leaving the Bus Company Band, Ted, a Yorkshire man, took up the baton with Dobcross Youth Band in Lancashire! Conducting them for 15 years with many contest successes.

For over 20 years Ted has been the librarian for Hammonds Sauceworks Band/Yorkshire Building Society Band and Hammonds Saltaire Band. And is an official of the Brass Band Conductors Association.

The highlight of his career was winning the 3rd Section final in 1981 with Yorkshire Bus Company from the number one draw. He also recalls gaining 2nd prize in the 3rd Section National Final with Dobcross Youth Band. However, as representative of the Yorkshire Building Society Band he proudly went on stage to collect the European Brass Band Trophy 8 years out of 9.

Over the past 16 years with WY Brass, Ted has played Soprano Cornet, 2nd. Cornet, 3rd. Cornet, been Librarian and Deputy Musical Director.

Ted – You will be sorely missed!!! The Very Best Wishes of all members and supporters of West Yorkshire Brass go with you.

WY BRASS LOSES ANOTHER MEMBER

With much regret Ian Siddall has decided to retire from the band due to health reasons.

Ian started banding at the age of eight on Bb cornet, as many do in the Salvation Army.
At 18 he joined the Royal Air Force as a Musician and spent the next 5 years having the time of his life, travelling the world playing at venues like The Royal Festival Hall, Albert Hall, Edinburgh Tattoo, the Earls Court Royal Tournament and many others.

After leaving the R.A.F. he had a few years in the Doldrums with not much playing at all, until he found Friendly Band, moving to Soprano Cornet.

Due to personal circumstances, Ian stopped playing until he resumed ten years ago, again with Friendly Band. Since then he has played with Wilsden Band (which became BD1 Brass) moving from Soprano back to Bb cornet, Brass Ten on Flugel Horn, and now West Yorkshire Brass, in March of 2020 moving from 1st Baritone back to Flugel Horn.

Good luck for the future, Ian. Don’t be a stranger!

ANOTHER FOUNDER MEMBER RESTS IN PEACE

Keith Rose, a West Yorkshire Brass founder member, has, sadly, passed away. Keith played trombone when the band was formed. He subsequently went to live in Australia, but after a series of illnesses died on 28th January. After emigrating he persistently complained that he missed playing with West Yorkshire Brass despite joining other fellow musicians in Australia.

RIP KEITH

WYB AGM TINGED WITH MUCH SADNESS

West Yorkshire Brass held its Annual General Meeting prior to rehearsal on Tuesday 16th January 2024. The meeting was sadly preceded with the announcement that Solo Euphonium, Keith Shuttleworth, would be retiring from the band with immediate effect, due to health reasons.

Keith was a founder member of West Yorkshire Brass and has played euphonium with the band for almost four decades. He has been Band Secretary throughout the last 16 years. He will be much missed, but has the very best wishes of band members for the future.

Keith began his banding career in 1956 on the reforming of Cowling Band where he was taught to play the cornet. Over the next few years he played with Skipton Prize Band and Colne Borough Band before joining Haworth Band. It was while Keith was at Haworth Band that he moved on to the Euphonium. He fondly recalls being a member of Haworth Band when they won the the 3rd. Section National Final at Fulham Town Hall with the test piece ‘Shipbuilders’.

He was principal Euphonium with Yeadon Old for a number of years before being asked to play with West Yorkshire Fire Service Band. Shortly afterwards the Fire Service Band changed to a military format. So Keith was amongst a number of the brass players who decided to form a brass band, hence the formation of West Yorkshire Brass in 1986.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In brief: Members of the band were appointed to the following posts:-

Musical Director: Peter Hellawell
Deputy Musical Director: George Mitchell
Secretary/Treasurer: Betty Emberton
Librarian: Michael Binns.
Website Manager: David Holdsworth.
Responsiblity for Uniform: Linda Atkinson.
Responsiblity for Banners: Steven Hall. Deputy: Richard Brier.

Other Matters:

New engagement. Saturday 18th May 2024 at St. Andrew’s Church, Undercliffe.
Rehearsal Room Keyholder: David Holdsworth. Deputy: Steve Galpin
Band Dinner 2024: Betty Emberton to review in due course.

Now “Get some ‘dots’ out Boss! Let’s get at it!!!”

Back To Top