I started playing a musical instrument when I was 11 at school in Rochdale and now being ?? that means I've been in banding for quite a few years.I started off as 2nd 2nd baritone (yes, that's correct, there were two of us!) in Rochdale Metropolitan Youth Band and over the 9 years I was there, progressed through my grades to grade 8 and solo Euph. The highlight of my time there was to play at the National Youth Band finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London and several recordings for records as well as TV.
When I left school, and subsequently the youth band, my career as a nurse took over although I did carry on playing to some degree with Middleton Band under Garry Cutt. When I married and moved away, became a mum and had a social life I wasn't playing much - occasional rehearsals with the 2nd Battalion Fusiliers in Catterick but my return to Bury three years later and a chance meeting with an old friend saw me back to the band room at Irwell Forge (later Bury Brass).
I suppose that it were all my troubles started - I mean life began (how soppy is that!) - I met Nigel and we moved to Rossendale. With it we moved to Goodshaw Band (2 minutes drive from our house) but in 1997 Dave invited Nigel down to the bandroom to have a blow. I went too - to watch! I was asked to sit in on the backrow and help the kids. And that was the start of 10 years relationship with the band and the start of some very good friendships - and long may they continue.
Having sat in a lot of the seats at the band - including an ear splitting (for the rest of the band) 6 weeks on soprano! (Every other sop player I salute you) I am on third cornet now.
I now work with people with special needs using equine, animal and horticulture therapy although I have progressed to co-ordinator role and so go to work in a suit and get very little dirt on my hands. Llamas are also involved - hence my nickname Llama Jockey - and as they say 'Spit Happens!'
I am taking part in the National finals but this may be my last one with an English band as we are off to Scotland as soon as employment/house sale goes ahead! I hope to be showing ponies in Scotland so banding might just take a bit of a back seat! although I hope to become a honorary member of H&H which has played such a great part in mine and Nigel's lives over the last ten years - watch this space!
