MEET THE BAND
I was raised in Blackpool in a family of brass banders.
I started playing age 7, at North Fylde Brass band, then I joined Thornton Cleveleys brass band on cornet before moving onto soprano cornet. I stayed there until 2019, then my husband, also a brass bander,and I moved to North Yorkshire. Since moving we've had two wonderful children and we also have a dog called RJ.
The first thing I did after getting the keys to our new house was search for local bands where I found Cockerton through a brass banding friend, I came down to a rehearsal and never left!
I am happy retired and living with lovely wife Dorothy and our mad Spaniel Bella.
As well as playing the cornet I also play trumpet, piano and classical guitar - which I play daily. One of my greatest pleasures in life is spending time with my grandchildren.
I was once a grade 8 Cellist and consider myself to be more creative than musical having written a play, a musical, three children’s novels ( for the grandchildren) and about thirty compositions for brass band over the past few years (one of which was played by the Cory Brass Band).
I once had the first movement of a symphony played by a youth orchestra.
I started playing the cornet with the Salvation Army in Darlington following in my Dad’s footsteps. Moving on to trumpet opened up a wider musical world where I was given the opportunity to play everything from big band jazz to baroque chamber music.
After working as a head of music secondary schools for twenty years, I became a brass teacher with Durham Music Service, eventually becoming Deputy Head of Service. Although enjoying most aspects of music, brass bands have always been something I’ve returned to, whether as a player, conductor, arranger or very briefly as an adjudicator!
Away from band, I enjoy cooking, holidays in the sun and subjecting people to my attempts at playing jazz.
I grew up playing cornet in Nailsworth Silver Band in Gloucestershire, but then moved more into big bands during student years - culminating in supporting Slade at the Oxford Polytechnic Christmas ball in 1982!
I then gradually stopped playing altogether for about 15 years until I was asked to book a brass band to come and play at my workplace, West Park Hospital in Darlington in 2006. Cockerton Band duly came and I took the opportunity to see if they would allow me to come along and see if I could still get a sound out of my cornet. I remain ever thankful for that decision!
I learned to play cornet alongside my sister in the Cockerton Junior Band from the age of 8, and signed onto Cockerton Prize Silver Band when I was 13.
I also play in an Army reserve band, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based in Newcastle. My favourite brass band gig is Durham Miners’ Gala.
I have two cats, and my day job is a Healthcare Assistant on a psychiatric intensive care unit.
I started playing euphonium at the age of 10 when my Dad set about reviving the long-defunct village band.
In my adult life I have moved around the country quite a bit but banding has been my one constant, allowing me to meet new people and enjoy music wherever I've been. After playing euphonium and baritone for a number of years I settled on cornet as a new challenge about ten years ago. I'm still working on it!
I've been a member of Cockerton Prize Silver Band since January 2020.
Bio coming soon !
I started playing sop with North Skelton Band back when I was a teenager, and rose with them from the 4th Section right through to the Championship Section.
I then played with various bands in the north east, but hung up my sop at the areas, playing "Legacy" - just as Covid struck.
After not being able to play I started again in 2023, on cornet, playing "The Knight's Tale" - which nearly finished me! However, the comradeship at Cockerton changed my mind about being finished, so here I am now!
I was in the salvation army band at 9yrs old and played the cornet, I also played in the school orchestra and from there I played with Newton Aycliffe Town Band as a teenager. At 16yrs I stopped playing for around 10 years. I bought a cornet from Williams music shop in Darlington and applied for an advert to play with Newton Aycliffe Town Band and I started to play again, then I was contacted by John Liversedge who'd heard I was playing again and he asked me to go and play with Fishburn (NSF). I played with them for over 4yrs then I left the band.
John Liversedge contacted me again and asked me to play with Cockerton Prize Silver Band and I've been there ever since, as they say "the rest is history"
Gavin Wiedman
Eb Tenor Horn
Photo coming soon !
Having recently retired and looking for things to fill my time that didn't involve running up mountains, I picked up my tenor horn for the first time in a long while. I helped out as cover for a couple of engagements with the band and when a vacancy arose I jumped at the chance to join full time. In the short time I have been with Cockerton, we've won the Durham League, played a live broadcast and had a great feed at my first Christmas gig !
Having spent too much time sitting around the house on an evening, my wife suggested that I get a hobby. It was a number of years since I had played so I bought a trombone and started to work my way through various tunes in the back bedroom.
It didn’t take long before it was suggested to me that I need to get out of the house more and maybe find a band to play with. Having spent years listening to various bands in contests and concerts, I don’t know why it took me so long to get involved but I’m glad I did and thoroughly enjoy playing at every opportunity. Away from the band room I enjoy cycling, walking, watching cricket and football – C’mon Boro !!
I learnt soprano cornet at Eastbourne Boys Secondary School, Darlington, in 1964, joining the Darlington Schools Brass Band. I moved to Queen Elizabeth VI Form in 1968 and joined Aycliffe Town Band at the same time.
My great pal Tim Holmes talked me into joining Spennymoor and Whitworth Band where I remained until moving to Amoco in 1975 with Tim, George Nicklin, and Alan and Graham Catherall.
In 1979 I joined Cockerton Band and as they say, the rest is history: been there ever since.
Helen Peacock
2nd Horn
Photo coming soon !
My journey into the world of music began when at the age of 7 when I started to learn piano and it expanded at 10 when I was offered lessons and the use of a school clarinet. However my dad had always had a love of brass so after he died in 2004 I decided to take up the tenor horn in memory of him.
Since then I've played in various bands including 7 enjoyable years at North Skelton Band and I presently play solo horn for Bilsdale Silver Band as well as playing for Cockerton Prize Silver Band.
I started playing tenor horn at the age of 8 with my local brass band in Spennymoor under the guidance of George Nicklin, who very quickly became known as Uncle George and a firm friend of my family.
When many of my friends left the band, distracted by other teenage pursuits I stuck it out and am so pleased I did as it has become such an important part of my life. As the daughter of a Durham coal miner I am proud to be involved in the brass band movement with its links to that industry and past.
I am lucky to also have good friends at Cockerton and just love seeing them twice a week for a blow along with a good laugh at Andy’s jokes - it is great to be in a band that works hard together but enjoys every minute (well nearly every minute).
My family, friends and fab job at the Red Cross keeps me busy and often living from a suitcase but on Wednesdays and Sundays I gravitate back to Darlo!
I joined the band in late 2022 following a seven-year tenure at Fishburn Band. Originally from the Midlands, I moved to the North East to study Music at Durham University, and have been working for Royal Northern Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead for the last five years - originally in marketing and now as a projects manager.
I have also been a Trustee for The UniBrass Foundation, a charity committed to promoting and developing brass band music at universities, leading on their Band Camp project.
Work and band keep me busy, but I'm also a keen baker, love zumba, and I'm a (sometimes) enthusiastic runner.
as it being a jazz saxophonist (an admission that can sometimes have the same impact in the bandroom that a bacon s
I started playing Trombone at the Salvation Army in Hednesford (the Midlands) aged 11 and they
haven’t succeeded in getting rid of me yet - I'm currently playing with Darlington S.A. as well as
Cockerton Prize Silver Band.
My wife, daughter and son have all played in brass bands under the watchful eye of Principal Cornet, Ian Robinson, so when invited to join the band I thought I’d better continue the family tradition.
My banding highlights include playing at the Royal Albert Hall, Durham Cathedral and The Sage; also, being conducted by Eric Ball, Ray Steadman-Allen and, of course, Andy Hunter.
Was it being a jazz saxophonist (an admission that can sometimes have the same impact in the bandroom that a bacon sandwich has at a Vegan Convention) that for years kept me away from brass banding? Or was it my accordion and taste for minor-key exotica? Or was it just because I'm a bit kind of musically louche and indisciplined? Maybe a bit of all three, but more likely because until I learned trombone I couldn’t play a brass instrument!
However, the trombone not only gave me something to play, it also provided a weapon with which I could force entry and somehow barge my way to a seat with Cockerton.
This is my second stint with Cockerton having had to previously step away because of work reasons. In addition to playing tenor horn I also play french horn and bass guitar as well as piano. I enjoy posting cheery songs on my FaceBook page - take a look, they are really uplifting !
I began playing as a young child in The Salvation Army junior band in Leicester. I progressed to the senior band where over the years I had the pleasure of sitting next to my grandad, great uncle and my dad. When I moved to university I continued to play in The Salvation Army band in Sheffield. I had a few years playing in a band called Cornerstone before moving up North to Darlington.
Family life put playing on the back burner for a short period. I joined Cockerton in January 2020, then lockdown hit. I was welcomed into a lovely band, full of characters and have enjoyed being part of this fellowship. I am enjoying playing the varied music styles and the camaraderie found in such a lovely band.
Having relocated to the area for work, I joined the band on solo euphonium have previously been a member of the City of Hull Band. At the first contest I played at with the Band we won most entertaining band and at the second, we we overall winners and we managed to pick up numerous sectional awards including best euphonium !
I started my brass band journey at 7 years old at my local Salvation Army in Cumbria. I was asked what I would like to play – I answered “Trombone” so they gave me a Cornet. It wasn’t until I moved over to the North East for work in my late 20’s that I really experienced brass banding outside of the Salvation Army context.
In addition to my playing with Cockerton Prize Silver Band I play Euphonium in Stockton Salvation Army band. After Covid I had somewhat of a crisis of confidence so was happy just to come along to Cockerton for the occasional blow but the lure of the music and the friendly and often hilarious band members (not always intentional) was too much to walk away from when the chance to become a full time member of the band presented itself.
Born in East London - a genuine Cockney boy!
I started playing bass trombone in Dagenham Silver Band (Essex) in 1973 aged 10.
Founder member of Becontree Brass Band (Essex) in 1981 as principal trombone.
Moved onto Eb Bass in 1988 and had a ball as the Band rose to the top of the 1st Section in London & Southern Counties, playing at 9 National Brass Band Championship Finals along the way!
Delighted to join the wonderful, welcoming and friendly Band that is Cockerton in 2019 after moving to North Yorkshire.
I have been playing EEb since age 11 (occasionally BBb & Euphonium on a needs basis). Initially in the school band, then with Darlington Youth bands (Brass, Big & Wind Bands) and Durham County Youth Orchestra. Adult Bands include Aycliffe Brass & Barnard Castle. I’ve also played in Brass Quintets/Quartets.
I am now in my second stint with Cockerton, having been with the Band since 2008, my previous 3 year spell being in the early 1990s.
I have been playing with the band on and off for over 20 years and keep returning like the proverbial bad penny.
Previous to that I held a tuba and bass guitar in the RAF for 22 years.
Brass band wise, like quite a few in this band, I have played in all sections from 4th to Championship.
VACANCY
There is a vacancy for either a BBb or Eb Bass player. Please contact Paul Gillson in confidence on 07961 579588
I started playing tenor horn in Cockerton Junior Band in 1993, graduating to the ‘big’ band shortly after.
In 2000 I made the move to percussion. 30 years later, including stints with Fishburn and NASUWT Riverside, I’ve enjoyed playing at a variety of wonderful venues and had some amazing experiences ‘building sheds’.
Aged 11 started my brass band playing career with west Auckland Band. I have been a member of Cockerton Band for 40yrs , playing principal cornet and solo tenor horn but for the last 30 years playing percussion.
Hoping to play for many more years with the band.
I first started playing in brass bands whilst studying at university playing my first instrument, the trombone. After enjoying the challenge and friendly atmosphere the band I was with required a percussionist something that I had been learning so I made the step into percussion.
I have enjoyed playing with the band since moving to the area and could not see myself in another section or band!
Favourite Piece- Fire in the Blood
I began life as a cornet player at the age of 16. Quickly realising that my talents lay in the 'Dark Side' I migrated to the trombone section
In 2004 I joined the Army as a trombonist, a career that has seen me travel extensively around the world in places such as Basel, Bosnia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Catterick, participating in such events as the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.