Let me introduce my self

Dear Members and Friends of Menai Bridge Band,

As I’ve recently taken up the post of Chairman of the Band, I thought it would only be right and proper of me to formally introduce myself to you all. I’m sure some of you must be wondering who on earth the English upstart is that has taken over from Aled Roberts as Chairman after such a short time as a Band member, so I hope that the words that follow will give you the opportunity to find out a bit more about me and my background.

Firstly, let me tell you something about my family and working life. I’m 50 years old and live in Colwyn Bay (although I hail from Chester) with my wife, Jean, and stepson, Jack (both also members of the Band – Jean on cornet and Jack on percussion). Jean and I got married in March 2007 and I have 3 grown-up sons from my first marriage. For the last nearly 3 years I have worked for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service at its Headquarters on St Asaph Business Park, with the job title of Support Services Co-ordinator. Prior to that I spent 27 years in the Royal Air Force, living in various parts of the world, although my very first posting was to RAF Valley back in 1979!

My brass-banding history goes back over 40 years to when I first picked up a cornet with the City of Chester Band (known as ‘The Bluecoat Band’ at that time) and tried to produce a reasonable sound out of a length of metal tubing – I’m still trying now! My first brass band contest was not with Chester but as a temporary member of Edge Hill (BR) Band from Liverpool in 1970 when, unbelievably, I played the 3rd Cornet part of Herbert Howells’ Pageantry in the British Open Championship at Belle Vue in Manchester. I found myself in a band competing against the likes of Black Dyke Mills, Foden’s Motor Works and Fairey Aviation amongst others, but all I remember of the day was walking past the late, great Harry Mortimer backstage and the chorus of disapproval that sounded when it was announced that Black Dyke had been placed only 4th! I also played in the brass band at Ellesmere Port Grammar School where, for a time, I was Principal Cornet. Sat beside me at that time was a young lady by the name of Jean – the same Jean that is now my wife!

Although my RAF career took me all over the world I managed to maintain my connection with the world of brass, playing with bands in Norfolk (Drayton and Stalham), Buckinghamshire (West Wycombe), Cambridgeshire (Waterbeach), various RAF voluntary bands and back with Chester again when based at RAF Sealand and RAF Cosford. I always tried to join a band wherever I was stationed as, like most other bandsmen and bandswomen, banding is in my blood and I can’t do without it! However, what has happened over the years is that I’ve gradually moved through the instruments – from Cornet to Tenor Horn to Baritone and, most recently, to Euphonium, which I’m enjoying immensely.

So, what do I hope to achieve as Chairman of Menai Bridge Band? Well, the first thing is to build on the uniquely-friendly and welcoming atmosphere that already exists within the Band and which has made settling-in so easy for Jean, Jack and me. Secondly, I hope to raise the Band’s profile in the local area and beyond, so that people other than ourselves come to realise what a great band we have here and, in particular, how encouraging an environment it is for those people of whatever age who might like to take up playing a brass instrument. As members move on from the Senior Band it’s vital that we have players coming through the Junior and Intermediate organisations to replace them, hence the importance of encouraging new players to join us. Thirdly, I want to highlight, acknowledge and nurture the continuing support provided to the playing membership by their families, friends and loved ones – without their support, tolerance and understanding the Band simply wouldn’t be able to function. Finally, on a personal level, it is my intention to be able to speak more Welsh by the time of the next AGM then I was able to do at the last one!

In order to achieve these aims I will inevitably be reliant upon the support, advice and guidance of all those of you that have been associated with Menai Bridge Band for far longer than me. To that end, if you have ideas for how the Band can continue to progress or you would like to become more involved in securing its future, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Some of you already know that I’m not slow in expressing my opinions, so it would be great if you could be equally as forthcoming with your own views and thoughts!

So, that’s the introductions done I think. I’ll conclude by thanking my predecessor, Aled, for his gracious words at the AGM and for nominating me to step into his shoes, as well as his continuing contribution to the Band. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all a bit better over the coming months (if I haven’t done so already).

Regards,

Brian Mottershead