SCornet2

Solo Cornet 2:
Howard Bancroft

Joined Burley & Ilkley Prize Band in 1954 aged 9 & learned to play cornet.
Competed annually in the Belle Vue Spring Brass Band Festival & at the Yorkshire Area Contests at St. Georges Hall Bradford.
Played Principal cornet at Belle Vue aged 11 - Test Piece "Joy of Youth" by Greewood, also at area contest at which was approached to play for Hammonds Sauce Works Band, Shipley, by Gershom Collison, MD at the time. Was not allowed to transfer at this time by parents!
4 months lay-off in mid 1958 due to a broken jaw.
Went to Hammonds in 1959 after Burley and Ilk Prize Band ceased to function. Started in Hammonds Junior Band, quickly followed by the senior band.

Competed in the First BBC radio Brass Band Competition "Northern Brass"
Competing Bands:
Yorkshire Imperial, Markham Main Colliery, Bradford Victoria, Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery, Harton Colliery, S.H. & W.R. Wallsend Shipyard, Easington Colliery, HEAD, Wrightson Works, Haigh Prize, Leyland Motors, Eccles Borough, Goodshaw, Dinnington Colliery & Lindley.
Hammonds beat Crossley Carpet Works in Round 1
Lindley in Round 2
Goodshaw in the semi-final
Came runners up to Yorkshire Imperial in the final at Leeds Town Hall on Friday 21st April 1961

Retired from Hammonds in 1966/7. Despite all the local area and Belle Vue contest and the infamous Whit Friday annual stints (full day from 07:30am) at Uppermill, hired every year by the Ebeneezer Church.
Joined the newly re-formed Harrogate Band in 1970. Serving as chairman for 3 years. Competed in local and area contests.
Retired from playing in Harrogate band in 1976 after 3rd hernia operation.
Moved to Cheshire in 1977 and lasted until 1980 when Peter Hormbrey found out! - Was persuaded to join Barnton Silver Band and during this period also played for Knutsford band until December 1989.
Took short break from December 1989 until July 1990 when Steve Yates persuaded me back "because the band's going contesting"! Have been with Barnton since that date until the present time!

Presently employed as a contract Scientific Glassblower for SOG Ltd. at Runcorn. Previously employed by ICI, starting as a trainee at Fibres Division at Harrogate in April 1960. Transferred to Mond Division, Runcorn in November 1976. Retired from ICI in 1996, completing 36 years service.