After 60 years of distinguished service as a player with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, Ray Sykes MBE has decided to call it a contesting day.

Concentrate

Although he will not completely give up playing, Ray will now concentrate on his role as Chairman of the Yorkshire band.

"It’s been one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, as I love playing in the band," he told 4BR.

"We’ve got some great young players coming through now, so that makes it a bit easier for contests, although I will still be on hand just in case I’m needed at any other time."

Highs and lows

Ray has enjoyed a quite remarkable career as a player – from the highs of recent contest successes at major championships to the lows of having to try and keep his beloved band on the road when they were down to just six players.

Modestly he said: "You do it because the band is part of your life. It’s great to enjoy the success, but it means more when it comes after so much hard graft, when times haven’t been so great.

I’m sure there are plenty of people in bands up and down the country just like me. The banding movement has given me much more than I’ve ever been able to put back in."

You do it because the band is part of your life. It’s great to enjoy the success, but it means more when it comes after so much hard graft, when times haven’t been so greatRay Sykes MBE

Icon

Current solo euphonium Toni Durrant told 4BR: "Ray’s an icon in banding and we wish to publically thank him for his almost unbelievable dedication and contribution to the Carlton Main Frickley Band as a player. We look forward to many more years working with him as Chairman."

Single highlight

As for a single playing highlight though in those 60 years?

"Every time you put on the uniform," Ray said. "It doesn’t matter if it was at the local fete or the Royal Albert Hall."