The death has been announced of the hugely respected player, conductor and teacher Alan Lawton. He passed away following a period of illness on Monday 14th June, aged 85.

He leaves his wife, Margaret and sons Andrew and Ian. Funeral details will be announced in due course.

Twin pillars

Alan Lawton's brass banding career was built on the twin pillars of two bands — Fairey and Poynton. Although their names may have changed over the years, his commitment to them never altered.

Born in Delph in 1935 he was 'hooked' as he later said to banding in 1946, by the Whit Friday sound of Brighouse & Rastrick playing 'Royal Trophy' as they marched past him down the road.

It was a fortuitous moment that was also to provide the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for the unique event — one which in 1988 saw him lead Fairey to a record 10 first prizes playing 'The President' march.

Banding career

His early banding education came at Delph, although further experience was added at Boarshurst and Oldham British Legion Band where he first came across the figure of Leonard Lamb, who was to become a central figure in his later banding life.

National Service saw him posted to Malaya and following his three-year tenure with the Band of the 11th Hussars he was approached by Lamb to join Fairey Aviation Works Band in 1956.

It was to become a life-long association and passion — and one that saw him enjoy considerable contesting success as a hardworking, hugely reliable cornet player, including being part of the bands that won five British Open and two National titles — including a rare 'hat-trick' and two 'Doubles'.

His playing was admired by the likes of Harry Mortimer, George Willcocks and Kenneth Dennison — figures he learnt a great deal from in forming the foundation on which he built his later conducting career.

He became a respected Resident Conductor of the band — his detailed approach appreciated by the players as well as the management of the Fairey company.

Commitment

Although best remembered for leading Fairey at Whit Friday, he also took them to the Granada Band of the Year contest and helped bring Walter Hargreaves to the band in 1978 in what was to become his 'Indian Summer' of success including the British Open victory of 1979.

His commitment in the band never wavered — from the great successes that followed to the difficult period when the direct sponsorship with Fairey was eventually broken. He always wore his Fairey Band tie with pride.

Conductor

From 1974 Alan also started conducting the Poynton Band — another association marked by both success and remarkable dedication.

He eventually conducted them over several periods up until 2008, leading them to victories on both the regional and national stage — from the first at the North West Second Section in 1975 to the last at the Buxton Entertainment contest in 2006.

Along the was the partnership also claimed victories at Pontins, NWABBA, Rochdale, Tyldesley, Burtonwood, Wychavon, Bollington, Isle of Man — and again and again at Buxton.

His talents as a band trainer were widely admired, leading him to conduct numerous bands at all levels — and to enjoy title successes with the likes of Deiniolen, Stalybridge, Rhodian Brass(who he conducted at the British Open), Glossop Old, Hepworth, Pemberton Old (winning the Senior Trophy and North West First Section titles in 2002) and Diggle (2003 Third Section National Championship of Great Britain).

He also conducted the likes of Mossley, Stocksbridge, British Telecom, Wingates, Point of Ayr, Sellars and Middleton amongst many — making friends and leaving them all better bands for it.

Modest, yet immensely proud of his connection with Fairey and Poynton Bands, Alan was a font of information, tales and stories, insight, advice, patience, humour and love for all he met in the banding world4BR

Teacher

Over the years he also became one of the most sought-after teachers of young players in the banding movement — never charging a penny for his time, and opening his home with his wife Margaret to countless youngsters to enjoy his chat and stories, lovely food and an invaluable lesson.

His devotion to the banding movement was widely admired and respected — and ultimately recognised with the award of the MBE for 'Services to Music' in 2007.

He later recalled that when asked by Her Majesty what he had got out of his teaching of youngsters, he replied, "...that none of those players have had any trouble with the law, and I think that counts a lot really. I must have been doing something right!"

Affection

The outpouring of affection for him following the news of his death has been testament to that.

Modest, yet immensely proud of his connection with Fairey and Poynton Bands, Alan was a font of information, tales and stories, insight (he was a fine adjudicator), advice, patience, humour and love for all he met in the banding world.

His was a brass banding life full, rich and rewarding. It will be the poorer for his passing.

With thanks to Tim Mutum