In this section we would like to encourage ALL former players to make contact, we are always keen to hear from anyone with memories or information (photos would be great).

If you have any info please do get in touch. Please specify whether you are willing to have your message posted in a publicly accessible are of the site - e-mail addresses will be removed for your protection.

Just to kick things off we recently received the following communication from Steve Ingham, with details about his family connections with the band, and recollections of past players - with details of their present whereabouts - where known.

Steve Ingham

It is interesting to see how the band has changed. I was introduced to brass bands by John Fleming around 1965. I played with the then Morecambe and Heysham Borough Silver Prize Band (what a mouthful!!)During my time with them I played cornet and flugel horn. I left in 1973 to study music. I currently live in Lincolnshire conducting 2 bands, directing an oompah band as well as a saturday morning music school. I think Joe Kenyon is the only name I can recall from those days. There was a bass player called Baxter, has he now left? I hope to hear from you in due course.

=== Followup communication ===

Hi Dean

• Soprano - Don Glass (I believe he may now be deceased)
• Principal Cornet - Geoff ? (engine driver)
• Solo Cornet - David Firth (moved to Yeovil)
• Mickey (lived ner George the Trombone player, went to Leeds University)
• Keith Faulkner (local doctor's son, lived near Balmoral Road)
• Roy Prestwich (deceased) (his widow lives in Woodhall Lane - we keep in touch)
• Repiano - Frank Redhead (possibly now deceased)
• 2nd Cornet - Geordie
• Karen Ingham (my sister now living in Norfolk)
• Tenor Horn - Christine (Geordie's daughter)
• Roy Walkden (moved to the Walkden area as a fireman)
• Lilian Ingham (My mother now living in Norfolk)
• Baritone David Boardman
• Jim ?
• Jeffrey Ingham ( my father now living in Norfolk)
• Trombones John Disney (Bass Trombone, lives in Heysham)
• George ? (lived adjacent to Euston Grove)
• Euphonium Robert Disney (now in Nottingham area)
• John Brayshaw (deceased)
• EEb Bass Tony Rowan (lived in Heysham)
• BBb Bass Ken Freeman (drove an Austin 7!!)
• Rueben Askew (lived north of Carnforth, belived to have passed away)

My parents and sister joined after me and left about 1975 when they moved to Cambridgeshire. They no longer play.

When I last met John Disney, he was playing BBb Bass with a band in the Nottingham area.

During my time with the band, local Council Entertainments man, Sam B WOOD, took some rehearsals. I can remember going to Belle Vue contesting in the 6th , yes the 6th section. We never won anything though!!

If I remember any more I will let you know.

Bernard Vause

Long time stalwart of the band has sent in the following picture and details of the people in the picture.

Bernard writes:

This picture has been given to me by Keith Robertshaw (front row...extreme right)
He says he was at school at the time aged 16yrs.

Other people I remember from 1974 when I joined..........

Back row from the Left...
1. Reuben Askew
6. Christine Collicot's dad

Front row
2. Tony Rowan
3. John Fleming conductor
5. Christine Collicot
7. Keith Robertshaw

If anyone can put names to any of the other faces, or if you have any old pictures of the band then please get in touch.

Following our request for further information on past band members, and in particular for information on the above photograph we have received the following message: (registered Members can find Stephen's contact details in the private area of this site)

Stephen Colling

Re: Former Players

Bernard Vause's photograph of the band is almost certainly a lot earlier than 1974. On the back second from the left is my brother, Geoff Colling, referred to in Steve Ingham's communication as Geoff (?) engine driver. Geoff went on to work on the railways, a job he continues to do to this day. Ken (?) is to the immediate right of John Fleming and as Steve Ingham suggests he did indeed own a blue Austin 7 which accommodated himself and his instrument.

Thanks for an excellent website .... good to see new generations of the band enjoying the music!