Black Dyke honours Record Breaker Richard Marshall
On 19th December the Black Dyke Band completed its hectic ’12 days before Christmas’ period with the presentation of awards at the final concert of the band’s calendar at Huddersfield Town Hall. The Pondasher award chosen by the band's MD, Professor Nicholas Childs, went to as he put it, “Probably the best player in the world on his instrument.” From the band's engine room Bb Bass player Matthew Routley.
The prestigious Bandsman of the year award voted on by the players to recognise someone whose commitment to the band goes above and beyond went to Siobhan Bates. This year the Chandos bursary donated by trustees Paul and Sally Billing was presented to Gareth Hand and Callum Anderson.
The band also took the opportunity to recognise the achievements of the band's principal cornet player Richard Marshall. During the pandemic Richard has broken records to become the Black Dyke Band's longest serving principal cornet player. Commenting on the award Richard said, “It is with great pride that I accept this presentation. In January 2022, I will start my 17th year as Principal Cornet with Black Dyke. According to the record books, that makes me the longest serving Principal Cornet Player in the band’s history. It still seems as if it was only yesterday when I arrived in Queensbury and I would sincerely like to place on record all of the support from my band colleagues both past and present that I’ve enjoyed sharing the stage with. And to the Trustees and Nick Childs, who gave me the opportunity to sit in the ‘hot’ seat that had been occupied by many of my cornet heroes.”
.gif)
