It was with a touch of sadness that Old Silkstone B Band bade farewell to their President due to impending retirement next month.

....unrivalled help and support.

John & Maggie Espin of the Ring O’ Bells in Silkstone, “have given the band unrivalled help and support throughout their six years tenure as band President and will be sorely missed,” said Mr Jeff Pickering, the band’s Chairman.

Members gathered to present John & Maggie with a ‘memento’ stand banner together with jackets bearing the band logo for them to take with them when they emigrate to Australia. (they might be needed as it’s only a cool 40°C out there at the moment!)

....lots of fun....

“We are proud to have been part of such an organisation and participating in its development.” John commented,
“We have particularly enjoyed seeing the new starters and watching their progress, it’s good to see young and old learning together, they make it fun to learn and have a unique family atmosphere which is something we should all support.

We’ve also had lots of fun helping and fundraising and will continue to support them any way we can, we will never forget the band.”

John & Maggie will be living in the area for a short time prior to joining their family in Australia and have already  confirmed they intend to be ‘on duty as usual’ at the barbeque, the band’s main fund raising event at this year’s Silkstone March Contest in July.

The band wishes John & Maggie a long and happy retirement and extend their grateful thanks for all their help and support.

Old Silkstone ‘B’ Band were thrilled and justly proud to hear that former member Daniel Jackson has been accepted by one of the world's top brass bands, Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band, at the tender age of 16 years old.
Daniel learned to play a brass instrument “from scratch” when only 10 years old with Old Silkstone ‘B’ Band after responding to an article advertising the re-formation of the learner band in spring 2002.

Photo: Former member Daniel Jackson, aged 11.

With lots of practice and a keen enthusiasm his rapid progress saw a meteoric rise beginning with a move to neighbouring Dodworth Band where he has been gaining invaluable experience in band playing and solo and contesting work. Earlier this year he won a “Best Player on the Day” award at the Silkstone March Contest.

A delighted Daniel said “I owe everything to Old Silkstone ‘B’ Band, they started me off playing and gave me a fantastic grounding to progress.”

Have you got what it takes to follow in Daniel’s footsteps???

Old Silkstone ‘B’ Band is a friendly learner brass band and welcomes new members of all ages, whether complete beginners or players wanting to improve their knowledge. We offer a family and fun environment to play and read music as a group and tailor instruments to suit mums, dads, brothers and sisters (we have them all!), and all learn to play in the Training Band before moving up to the more experienced ‘B’ Band. Learn a new skill, make new friends, enjoy playing, and soon those black and whites dots on the paper will come alive. We can provide instruments and music, making this a low-cost activity to parents, or you can bring your own instrument.

Summer concerts have included various galas and events at local schools and churches, the North of England Rolls Royce Event at Harewood House and Brodsworth Hall for English Heritage. We also participate in March Contests (marching is easy!) and Christmas carolling locally to raise funds. Every year the band organises a Brass Master Class to give the players an opportunity to benefit from the talent and expertise of world class players and tutors.

Are you interested?
Come and join us for a rehearsal - Training Band every Monday at 6.00 pm,
'B' Band every Monday at 6.30 pm, at Silkstone Cricket Pavilion behind the BP garage.
For further information contact Musical Director Wayne Bostwick on 01226 248539 or email band@oldsilkstone-b-band.co.uk.

Articles by Alan Brentnall