Spennymoor Town Band have been congratulated by the Town Mayor for their performances at the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain, held at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.
As North of England 4th section champions, the band represented the region at the National Finals which took place on Saturday 15th September.
The band came a creditable 12th, competing against the country’s best from England, Wales and Scotland.
At the Council meeting on 25th September, Spennymoor Town Council Mayor, Cllr Clive Maddison, thanked the band for their brilliant performance.
He awarded shields to several members of the band, including Michael MacDonald, who at only 9 years old, received the Roy Newsome Memorial Shield at the finals as the youngest player competing at the contest.
Michael started playing the cornet with Spennymoor Youth Band aged five and a half and passed his Grade 3 practical examination in March and grade 4 in June with distinction.
Michael told Spennymoor News: “I am very pleased to have won this trophy and really love playing with Spennymoor Town and Youth Bands.”
Fiona Casewell, who was appointed Musical Director in November 2017 and has taken the band from strength to strength, was also recognised by the mayor.
Don Lavery, the oldest member of the band at 81 years young was coaxed out of retirement to play the tenor horn.
Neil Davies, a retired head teacher who plays the cornet and who steps in for Fiona when required, was also singled out, as was Hugh Stephenson, the Vice President of the Band who joined in the mid-80s.
Hugh plays the cornet and has spent all of his spare time for over 30 years raising funds for the band.
Hugh said: “We are pleased with the result and so proud we have put Spennymoor and County Durham on the map.
“This would not have been possible without so much support from so many people from Spennymoor and wider afield.”
After the meeting, members joined the Band for a reception in the Town Hall to ensure they were all thanked for being ambassadors for the town.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
