4BR has been informed of the death of Robert Mulholland (left of image), the founder of Brass Band World magazine.

A man of great kindness and compassion, he died at home on Thursday night, 12th of June, surrounded by his beloved wife Jennifer and his family, following a long illness borne with great fortitude. He was aged 76.

Love and respect

Bob Mulholland enjoyed a lifelong love and respect for all aspects of the brass band movement — ever since he started to play the cornet in the Stockport Citadel Junior Band.

His father, also called Robert, was the highly respected Bandmaster at Fairey Band during one of its most successful periods of post war success, a connection which gave the younger ‘Bob’ as he universally became known, a great deal of associated pride.

Distinction

The family later emigrated to New Zealand, where he became a respected journalist, as well as a cornet player good enough to play with distinction on the solo cornet bench with the famed National Brass Band of New Zealand, where he maintained friendships with players that lasted all his life.

On his return to the UK, he initially worked in local newspapers, gaining a reputation for excellent reporting and a keen eye for stories with strong social compassion — traits that were very much part of his personality.

Talents

His talents were later spotted by national newspapers such as the Daily Mirror, where during their heyday he became an influential member of their pioneering reporting teams.

In 1991 he founded Brass Band World magazine through his highly successful publishing company Peak Press.

Revolutionised

Working alongside his lifelong friend Alan Jenkins, who became its first Chief Feature Writer, the monthly magazine revolutionised brass band publishing and reporting; the high quality production values enhanced by strong, well informed features and reviews, the first ever brass band rankings system and extensive use of colour photography.

He later sold the magazine, but not before it had become essential reading to the rapidly changing band world.

Talking to 4BR, Alan Jenkins remembered a ‘true friend’ and ‘wonderful man’:

"I’m so glad I met up with Bob when we were youngsters learning to play all those years ago with Stockport Citadel Band.

It meant I was lucky enough to have enjoyed a close connection with a true friend and wonderful man all my life.

He was imbued with great kindness and compassion — both personally and professionally, and there are countless people who owe him a great debt of gratitude. He loved music making as much as he loved sport, politics and anything that strove for excellence."

Cricket spin

He added: "We used to laugh that his slow bowling used to get him wickets for his local cricket team not through spin, but by the batsman running out of patience waiting for the ball to reach them!

He loved football too — especially Derby County, who he and Jennifer supported almost devoutly.

One of Bob’s ambitions was for young people to have a meaningful and fulfilling interest. So when the opportunity arose to be part of the creation of a choir in the High Peak Bob was happy to take up the challenge to become an influential member of a small trust that created the Kinder Children’s Choir.

Through the years and the devotion of that Trust and the leadership of Joyce Ellis the choir has grown significantly and now enjoys an international reputation."

Brass Band World

Alan also recounted the decision to produce BBW Magazine: "The decision to start Brass Band World was one he had wanted to take for some. He wanted to produce an independent magazine for readers that brought brass banding to life.

He certainly did that and much, much more.

I was always amazed how he managed to fit everything in — from being a trustee at Buxton Opera House and singing in his local Male Voice Choir, to teaching young brass players in Chapel-en-le-Frith Band, reporting, frequently having a blow on his cornet, cricket, football, skiing — and running his highly successful business.

All that and he always had time for the people he met: time to talk and discuss, time to laugh and time to give to others."

He wanted to produce an independent magazine for readers that brought brass banding to life. He certainly did that and much, much moreAlan Jenkins

Great friend

Alan ended: "Jennifer, who he was married blissfully to for nearly 60 years, his four children and 11 grandchildren have lost a truly wonderful husband, father and grandfather — and the rest of us have lost a truly great friend and human being."

Funeral arrangements:

The funeral will take place on Thursday 19th June at 1.15pm at the Methodist Church in Chapel-en-le-Frith. The music for the service will be performed by members of the Fairey Band.