Musical Director

Peter Hellawell

Many musicians who are new to the band can’t understand why they initially have difficulty in following Peter’s conducting style, until they realise he is left-handed.

As a ‘South Paw’, Peter is in good company; Benjamin Britten and the German composer Wagner were also left-handed. However, Wagner eventually taught himself to conduct right-handed: No pressure then, Peter!

Principal Cornet

Richard Gosling

Richard started playing aged 11, and grew up playing in the Hull music service, eventually playing in the City of Hull Youth Brass Band for 7 years. He then played for a number of bands and orchestras before securing a place at Leeds College of Music.

On returning to Hull, he played for Cottingham Brass Band but after a few years injured himself playing a soprano cornet (don’t ask!). However, during his resultant layoff, the band unfortunately folded.

Following a change of career he came back to West Yorkshire, and has since played for a number of bands. Including deputising for absent players at West Yorkshire Brass on numerous occasions.

Richard has now fully committed to West Yorkshire Brass and we hope he will enjoy his time with us. Welcome Richard.

Solo Cornet

Linda Atkinson

Linda started playing with Hammonds Junior Band when she was 11. Since then she has played in Swing bands, Military style bands, and Brass bands.

Her highlights are playing in The Royal Albert Hall, and joining the West Yorkshire Brass front row on Solo Cornet.

Solo Cornet

Richard Brier

Richard started playing aged 8 and was a founder member of Hebden Bridge Junior Band in 1971.

Having left the Calder Valley for a while, on his return in 1995, he joined Hebden Bridge Band. However, there have been long breaks here and there due to career and family. So he didn’t start playing regularly again until around 2016.

When not banding, Richard enjoys walking his two Cocker Spaniels and is a season ticket holder at Turf Moor (That’s the home of Burnley FC. to those not football friendly).

Hopefully, he will enjoy playing with West Yorkshire Brass for many years to come.

Solo Cornet

Wilf McDonald

In 1962 he joined the Bradford City Police and began playing with the force Military Band. Upon Police amalgamations in 1974 the Bradford City and Leeds City Police Bands joined together initially as a military band and then subsequently as a brass band. Wilf played with the Force Band until 2005.

During this time period Wilf has also been involved playing in smaller groups such as swing bands and dance bands. Indeed, Bradford City Police had a 5 piece jazz band called ‘The Concords’. This group was the first live music group to play at the BBC studios in Leeds. They also recorded at the Playhouse Theatre, Manchester for the then lunchtime programme from the BBC studios in Birmingham called ‘Pebble Mill at One’.

When not banding, Wilf enjoys DIY, photography.

Solo Cornet

Steven Hall

Steve, or Alf as he is known to close friends (it’s a long story!) spent his early banding years in Spen Valley with the Spenborough Victoria Band and the Spenborough Junior Quartet under the leadership of Ken Rushworh. The quartet went on to win the Junior Championship of Great Britain. Following this Steve spent some time with Gomersal Mills Band, Lofthouse Colliery Band and Rothwell Band prior to leaving school and joining Leeds City Police.

Steve played with the Police Band for 42 years during which time he was a member of the Fanfare Team playing many times for Royalty. Highlights were attending the 5th Anniversary of 9/11 to play in the Memorial Gardens and the 60th. D-Day Anniversary.

Soprano Cornet

Sally Cass

Sally came to occupy the Soprano Cornet seat at West Yorkshire Brass at the beginning of 2022.

She clearly has a great deal of talent and experience.

We hope she enjoys playing with her new-found band for many years to come.

Repiano Cornet

Sally Clark

Sally took up the cornet at the tender age of 33 at Horsforth Music Centre. From there, she discovered Horsforth Leeds City Band ~ her first taste of brass banding. She also played trumpet with the Horsforth Music Centre Concert Band for several years and, from there, was invited to play a solo with a local choir in St. Chad’s Church, Headingley, Leeds ~ a fantastic place to play solo trumpet.

She plays the Last Post for the Bramley Community Remembrance Day each year and played at the memorial service on 4th August 2014 at the new War Memorial in Bramley Park, Leeds.

Sally has been with West Yorkshire Brass for quite a few years and says she will probably stay until we throw her out.

In her spare time she enjoys attempting to play the piano, walking, reading, bird watching, art and learning new things.

2nd Cornet

Glenice Sykes

Glenice first started playing a brass instrument at senior school aged 13. Two schools had amalgamated and they had a brass band. At her first music lesson she was asked if she played any kind of instrument. ‘Piano accordion’, she said, and so being able to read music, she was sent home with a flugel horn. As soon as she could blow a few notes she was in the band albeit with the fingering written under the notes. At 15 she left school and the band which had given her so many happy memories.

For 43 years she listened to brass bands and wondered if she would ever play again, thinking she was too old.

Then a newspaper article grabbed her attention ‘If you’ve ever played a brass instrument or would like to learn – get in touch with us’. This was an opportunity. It took a lot of courage, but off she went to Ripponden and District Band. Soon after that they merged with Huddersfield which was too far to travel so she moved to Wilsden Band.

She has since played with Friendly, Hall Royd, Haworth and BD1 bands.

Playing with BD1, the band won the 4th section area contest and then went to the National Finals taking the runner up spot. So for her at 70 it was quite an achievement when all she had really wanted to do was just to have ‘another go’ at playing.

So far, it’s been a great journey making many new and helpful friends on the way. Having joined West Yorkshire Brass in mid 2018, Glenice is now enjoying the next chapter with a group of guys and gals she describes as ‘so welcoming’.

3rd Cornet

Tom Buchanan

Flugel Horn

Alan Dunkley

Alan started playing in 1970, sharing a cornet with two of his friends, only getting exclusive use when they moved shortly afterwards.  He took lessons and joined Louth Silver Band later that year.

Having moved to Hebden Bridge in late ’71, he joined the newly formed junior band ending up as Principal Cornet in 1975.

He played Soprano Cornet for West Calderdale Music Centre Band, but then took a break whilst at Manchester University. He played for bands in the area on various instruments, including a spell with Dobcross Band.

Having guested for a while with Hebden Bridge Band , Alan found he lacked regular rehearsal time, until he bought a new cornet some 20 years later, joining West Yorkshire Brass early in 2023.

Having purchased that new cornet, Alan now plays Flugel Horn with the band!!!

Solo Horn

Rosalind Rowe

When Ros joined West Yorkshire Brass, during 2021, not only did it complete the ‘all girl’ tenor horn section, but the all male trombone section too. She brought her trombone playing husband Max along with her.

We hope they both enjoy many years of playing with WY Brass.

1st Horn

Graham Richardson

Graham is an accomplished brass musician, playing cornet, tenor horn and his favourite instrument, the Flugel Horn.

He joined West Yorkshire Brass in 2016 when he chose to occupy a 3rd cornet seat, despite having substantially greater ability than that seat suggests. However, when his ability to play tenor horn was discovered, he soon found himself sitting in the 1st. horn seat.

His ability to play more than one instrument means that the band can call upon him to cover, when necessary, for other players who may be ill or on holiday.

Graham currently has returned from a third cornet seat to tenor horn.

Long may he continue to enjoy playing with West Yorkshire Brass.

2nd Horn

Betty Emberton

Betty started playing the horn whilst at college some years ago!

She then resumed her playing career, playing with the Otley Band and Horsforth Music Centre Band. She then moved to play with the Horsforth Leeds City Band.

Betty joined West Yorkshire Brass around 1999 where she is to this day.

In her spare time Betty enjoys ‘playing around!’ of golf that is.

Betty is also the band’s treasurer.

1st Baritone

Rod Goldsworthy

Rod started playing at the age of eight with the Salvation Army in Dorset. He also played various instruments over many years with the local town band.

In 1997 he moved to the Midlands, where he played in the 1st. Section with The Shirley Band.

On moving home again he came to Yorkshire in 2004, joining Yorkshire Community Brass, and subsequently the then newly formed BD1 Band, taking part in various contests with them.

Joining West Yorkshire Brass in early 2019, Rod looks forward to enjoying playing with them.

2nd Baritone

Liz Tobitt

Obtaining a photo and biography from Liz is proving to be a slow, elusive process.

However, one thing is for sure, she believes in keeping it in the family, Her husband Les was percussionist with West Yorkshire Brass for many years until around 2006.

Liz is the bands most recent aquisition, she having joined West Yorkshire Brass on Baritone in mid 2023.

Welcome Liz. Anytime you’re ready for a photo and biography!!!

2nd Baritone

Steve Galpin

Steve and his wife Jayne joined the band at the start of 2018.

His musical career began at the age of 11 on cornet with Yeovil band, but came to an abrupt halt because his dad said it was too loud!

He started to play again at age 18 with Wincanton Band, but soon found himself struggling on 3rd cornet because his ability to read music at that point needed some improvement.

At 21, having improved his playing and reading skills he joined the local Royal Artillery TA band on 1st. Baritone, only to stop playing yet again when he joined the regular army.

At 29 whilst stationed on Salisbury Plain, he joined Shrewton band on BBb bass, but whilst heading a carnival procession the band was hit by a runaway car. Steve ended up in Intensive Care with multiple injuries and another ‘break’ in his playing career.

At 40, whilst in Germany, a friend gave him a Trombone. His love of the instrument continues to this day.

Solo Euphonium

Rebecca Sharpe

Rebecca began learning the euphonium at the age of 11 and played with Ashbourne Town Band throughout her teens whilst attaining her grade 8 ABRSM exam at school.

However, university and work commitments resulted in Rebecca taking a break from banding for almost 12 years until a move to West Yorkshire reignited her love of brass music and so she joined the local band, Horsforth Leeds City Brass.

Rebecca began to play with West Yorkshire Brass in 2014 and has been thoroughly enjoying her renewed love of playing. She hopes to remain with the band for many years to come.

2nd Euphonium

Ian Hunter

Ian learned to play the cornet in the Salvation Army. He and his brother Peter (Ex WY Brass Solo Tenor Horn), progressed to play in the Yorkshire Schools Brass Band. (For those musicians out there – front row, 3rd man down.)

After a twenty year break from banding, he took a baritone seat at Wilsden Band. And perhaps, trying to make up for lost time, he soon found himself playing with four bands at the same time. Most notably Wilsden, Haworth, BD1 Brass and on euphonium for Halifax Concert Band. Ian is also Chairman for Noteability Concert Band.

Over the years, Ian has contested with YBS, Hebden Bridge and Skipton bands.

His other interests include chess at county level and he is a three times Leeds Area Champion!!! He has recently scaled down his involvement in chess in favour of music, since although the odd wrong note can linger in the memory, playing chess is much more injurious to ‘a good night’s sleep!’

Solo Trombone

George Mitchell

George started to play the cornet in 1948 at 8 years of age, and joined Todmorden Old Brass Band at the age of 10. When he was 15 he auditioned in Manchester and was successful in gaining a place with the National Youth Brass Band playing baritone and then euphonium. His highlight was playing on a television programme from London conducted by the late Sir Adrian Boult.

He then went on to play solo trombone with Todmorden Band, and was their Musical Director for many years. It was during this time that the Band was asked to go down to London one New Year’s Eve to appear with Eamonn Andrews on ‘This is your life’, celebrating the life of International Big Band leader Geoff Love, who was born in Todmorden.

Geoff Love appeared as guest conductor, and along with Roy Castle, and George as rehearsal conductor presented the Television programme ‘The Brass Beat’.

George played trombone in a number of local pit orchestras and was asked to become Musical Director of Todmorden Operatic Society in 1981. He continued in that role for the next 10 years, indeed he is currently President of the Society.

Having acquired his own business in 1981, and with a number of other commitments, he resigned from the Brass Band, but continued playing with his family and other musicians in a Dance Band called ‘Orion’, playing for dinner dances and cabarets.

Due to health problems he stopped playing in the early 90’s but was persuaded to join West Yorkshire Brass a few years ago where he now occupies the solo trombone seat, and is the bands Deputy Musical Director.

2nd Trombone

Joanne Relton

Joanne learnt to play as a child with Wibsey Brass and Reed under the fantastic tutelage of Thelma Hoskins. Starting on Eb Tenor Horn, moving through Drums to Trombone.

She has played with numerous local bands including Hall Royd, Gawthorpe, Hot Aire and now West Yorkshire Brass. Her current favourite piece is ‘Light Cavalry’.

2nd Trombone

Max Rowe

As a child, Max went to concerts and liked the trombones because they were loud! When the opportunity was offered at school to take up an instrument, he asked to play trombone. The teacher said “I think there is an old ‘peashooter’ in the cupboard, take it home and see how you get on”. At University Max played in the University’s concert band, orchestra and jazz big band.

Since University he has played with Brass Bands including: Southampton Central Band, Granite City Brass Community Band and Harrogate Community Band. He enjoys playing in concerts but is less keen on the stress of contesting!

After a career in science and engineering, Max has turned to Photography, recently submitting his MA dissertation: ‘Picture the Band’ on the photography of brass banding.

Bass Trombone

Craig Russell

Craig started playing at 13 years of age at Belle Vue Boys School, Bradford under the tutelage of Arthur Atkinson (a name many will remember fondly). He went on to play 2nd trombone in the school symphonic band playing at the Festival of Remembrance at St. George’s Hall, Bradford.

At 17 Craig joined Hammonds Sauce Works Junior Band visiting Hamm in Germany twice with the Hammonds Hawley Band.

He joined Hall Royd Band in 2000 but had to leave in 2003 to spend 6 months with the Armed Forces in Kuwait and Iraq.

He returned to playing with Hall Royd in 2011.

Craig has also played with Wilsden Band, Brass Ten and Hot Aire, and even takes his ‘bone with him on holiday to play with Bude Metric Brass, Cornwall. That’s dedication!

Eb Bass

Jayne Galpin

Jayne started playing the bass aged 13 with Hebden Bridge Junior Band. Back then girls didn’t play the bass but it was the only instrument available! It became, and will always remain, one of the loves of her life and she has many happy memories of her time with the band.

Whilst working in London she joined Fulham Brass Band. It was whilst playing carols with them under the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square that she first met her husband Steve.

Throughout their married life, and between bringing up 3 children, Jayne and Steve have played in several bands both in Colchester and Yorkshire.

In her spare time she enjoys playing the piano, gardening and baking.

Since joining the band at the start of 2018 both Jayne and Steve are very much looking forward to a long relationship with West Yorkshire Brass.

Eb BASS

Richard Hirst

BBb Bass

Jacqui Mack

Jacqui Mack joined WYB early in 2022. She actually plays the viola (Not something planted in the garden!). It’s a large violin. Held and played like a violin but with a lower, more mellow tone.

However, she always fancied playing a BBb Bass. I can’t imagine why! A viola fits nicely into the boot of your car. Whereas a BBb Bass . . . . . . . . !!!!!

Jacqui declares she is a novice bass player, but we’re sure she’ll stick at it and get there in due course.

Welcome to the band Jacqui. We hope you have a great time playing with West Yorkshire Brass.

BBb Bass

Ben Clapham

Ben started playing the cornet in 2004 aged 11 when he moved up to secondary school. Soon after he joined the Elland Silver Youth Band where he played until he was19. In 2008 Ben made the change from cornet to Eb bass gaining a seat with the Elland Silver Band in 2010. During his time with the band Ben had the privilege of playing with the band in the 3rd through to Championship Sections as well as qualifying for the national finals on three occasions.

In March 2017 Ben joined Lindley Band, when he decided to make another change by moving to BBb bass.

In his spare time away from banding Ben is an active and enthusiastic member of the Brighouse and Halifax Model Engineers. As well as playing ‘Trains’ Ben takes pride in the fact he is able to build his own steam engines in his home workshop.

Ben is now enjoying also playing with his local band, West Yorkshire Brass.

Percussion

David Holdsworth

Some time during 1967, whilst David was on tenor horn with Hammonds Sauce Works Band, the late Geoffrey Whitham said “The drummer has died and I can’t find a replacement, is there a volunteer to take his place?” David claims not to have taken one pace forward. Perhaps everyone else took one pace back but there he stayed for the next 5 years performing with the band at many of the country’s leading venues, and making recordings for TV, radio and records (that’s proper vinyl records).

In 1972 he joined the Police Service and during the next 33 years was principal percussionist with the Bradford City Police Military Band, West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police Military Band and then the West Yorkshire Police Brass Band.

He has done much military, brass, dance, trio, theatre and recording work and despite retiring from playing in 2005 (or so he thought!), he now thoroughly enjoys playing with West Yorkshire Brass.

Playing career highlight ~ He was privileged, in 2003, to play tuned percussion, for half a dozen performances of  ‘the best stage musical in the world’ ~ Les Misérables.

His hobbies include DIY and restoring old black and white and sepia tone photographs. David also keeps the band website up to date.