David Holdsworth

Canal Gardens, Roundhay, Leeds. 2.30pm. Sunday 9th June 2024

• Bands are now ‘banished’ to the rose garden – No suitable area for bands to play in.
• Rose Garden? Flower beds stripped out. Not a plant or flower in sight.
• ‘Collect your own’ dirty, wet and delapidated chairs.
• Area of path cordoned off for public safety reasons, due to falling masonry.
• Rats seen scurrying around.
• No vehicular access for equipment to be delivered.
• Totally insufficient parking for an attraction the size of Tropical World and Canal Gardens.
• Woefully inadequate toilet facilities.

No wonder the performance was ‘lack lustre’, despite the event being very well attended by the public. If I have my way, West Yorkshire Brass will not perform at this venue again …. Rant Over!!

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.

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.

Ian will not be a stranger to the band because he retains his position as Band Sergeant.

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