The recent BBC4 ‘Timeshift’ documentary programme, ‘When Coal was King’ has already gained a wonderful response from brass band aficionados eager to find out more about the identity of some of the bands, conductors, players and even the adjudicator featured in film about the lost world of coal mining and the lives of the people who worked in the industry.

Young dep

One of them was David Read MBE, now known as the movement’s most respected and experienced adjudicator, but who just after the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947, was a young cornet player ‘depping’ for Markham Main Colliery Band at the Durham Miners Gala featured in the film.

After seeing the documentary he also contacted his old friend Elgar Howarth to tell him about the appearance of his late father Oliver, who was the adjudicator shown picking up a Bakelite telephone and asking for the next band to be ready to play for him.

Astonishment

And although the great orchestral conductor doesn’t have a lap top of his own, he in turn contacted his son and grandson to ask them to show him the film on the BBC iplayer service.

To his astonishment, as he believed it was the only time his father adjudicated a brass band contest, he then saw his father in action.

Thrilled

"Elgar Howarth was simply thrilled to see his father on film," David told 4BR. "He was the conductor of the Barton Hall Works Band at the time and was not keen on competing at contests, even though he regularly attended them to listen."

He added: "Elgar Howarth believes this was the only time he agreed to be an adjudicator at a brass band contest such as this, and was amazed and tremendously proud to recall his father in this way, especially as it gave him the opportunity to enjoy the experience with his own son and grandson."

Elgar Howarth believes this was the only time he agreed to be an adjudicator at a brass band contest such as this, and was amazed and tremendously proud to recall his father in this wayDavid Read MBE

Near the shoulders of giants

David himself remembers the occasion well – and revealed that he also rubbed shoulders with a few political giants of the day at the event.

"I was a keen autograph hunter and as we sat down after we had played I was able ask the great Ernest Bevin, the then Foreign Secretary and Hugh Dalton who was Chancellor of the Exchequer to sign my book.

I still have it today, and to see the film brought back many happy memories for me."

Watch

See a repeat of the programme on the BBC i-player at:

http:/­/­www.bbc.co.uk/­iplayer/­episode/­b03gtg7g/­Timeshift_Series_13_When_Coal_Was_King/