The Reg Vardy Band is preparing for the new contesting season with a quartet of new signings.

Asset

Ross Cartledge, former principal cornet with Westoe Band, strengthens the front row team. Ross assisted the band at The Grand Shield in Blackpool in May earlier this year and is a welcome asset to the cornet section.

Future star

15 year old trombone star Hayley O’Connelley joins the trombone section after Peter Liddle had to step down due to increased work commitments. Hayley was principal trombone of the National Children’s Brass Band in the last two courses and was featured as a ‘Star of the Future’ soloist with the band in a series of concerts last year.

Principal trombone Chris Bentham told 4BR: “I was greatly impressed with Hayley’s playing and attitude. She will undoubtedly be an asset to the band.”

We ended the summer on a high and are looking forward with great expectation to the final two contests of the yearReg Vardy Band

New flugel

Sadly flugel soloist Joanne Behan has stepped down from the band. A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Joanne has been a fantastic servant and WE are sad to see her leave. Everyone at Reg Vardy wishes her well and hope to see her return in the future."

Former Brighouse & Rastrick principal cornet player Stephen Wilkinson has taken over the flugel horn position.

Calibre

Reg Vardy Band Chairman Ray Hutchinson told 4BR: "We are overjoyed to have a player of such a high calibre to strengthen our team. Stephen’s experience will no doubt be of benefit to the horn section and the rest of the band."

High

The final member of the quartet of new faces is euphonium player Liz Pope. Liz, a former Wingates and Fairey’s member, has recently relocated to the North East to begin a PGCE course and did a sterling job on solo euphonium at the recent English National in Preston.

Ray added: "We ended the summer on a high and are looking forward with great expectation to the final two contests of the year."