The death has been announced of the popular conductor of Stuart Fawcett. He died on 3rd February following a short illness. He was 76.

Stuart commenced playing career aged 8 with Meltham & Meltham Mills Band. After moving to euphonium he was invited to join the Championship Section Crossley Carpet Works.

In 1963 he enlisted into the Band of the Coldstream Guards where he served for 12 years, moving to trombone and being promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Award

In 1975 Stuart emigrated to Australia after being appointed Head of Brass and Director of Bands at a prestigious grammar school in Brisbane, a position he held for 14 years. He was also a Warrant Officer Bandmaster in the Australian Army. In 1985 H.M. the Queen awarded him the Order of Australia Medal for his services to music in Queensland.

He returned to the UK in 1989 and, after a year conducting Jayess Brass was appointed MD of Skelmanthorpe Band in 1991, a position he held for almost 10 years and which saw him led then to the Third Section National title in 1993.

During this time he also steered the band from the Third Section to Championship status.

Meltham return

In 2000 Stuart returned as MD of Meltham & Meltham Mills, exactly 50 years since he blew his first note with the band. He enjoyed further success with Meltham, guiding them from the Second Section to the First — winning his final contest with the band, and gaining promotion to the Championship Section.

In recent years he has dedicated his time to Meltham's Junior Band from which he retired from only last year.

Stuart was true gentleman and will be sadly missed by everyone associated with Meltham & Meltham Mills Band and Junior Band. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to all of Stuart's familyspokesperson

True gentleman

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Stuart was true gentleman and will be sadly missed by everyone associated with Meltham & Meltham Mills Band and Junior Band. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to all of Stuart's family."

Funeral

The funeral will take place on 25th February at St Bartholomew's Church in Meltham at 1.00pm, followed by a private committal.