Basses

Richard Mason - Bb Bass

Brian Richardson - Eb Bass

John Parkin - Bb Bass

Dave Willson - Bb Bass   R.I.P.

Bandology

1956 - 1965, Cockerton Prize Silver Band - Baritone, Euphonium and Eb Bass

1970, Headwrightson Works Band - Eb Bass

1976, Amoco Band, Consett - Baritone

1977, Lingdale Silver Band - Band Chairman

1985 - 1989

1991, Formby Silver Band, Merseyside

2004 - present, Cockerton Prize Silver Band, Eb Bass

Brian, one of the bands committee members, is currently part of the “North East Area 2nd Section Best Bass Section 2007” - with the other 3 on this page, congratulations!

Richard's Profile will appear here soon...

Dave began playing Tuba in 1986 (over the age of 40!) after his daughter joined Barnard Castle Band.  After a spell at Barnard Castle, Dave then transferred to Consett Band in 1992 which then unfortunately disbanded in 1994, which was when Dave joined Cockerton Band.  Dave, who now plays one of our shiny new Bb basses, is a valued member of the band.  His favourite pieces include "The Army of the Nile", "West Side Story" and "Spring".   It is with great sadness that we report Dave's death, just before Christmas 2009.

John first learnt to play Euphonium whilst a pupil at Gladstone Street School in Darlington aged 13. While playing in the school band he received lessons from Ernie Ryder who eventually moved him onto Bb Bass.

After leaving school John played for the Darlington British Railway Band for 4 years before it disbanded.

John joined Cockerton Band in 1966 and has enjoyed unbroken service ever since. His first instrument has always been Bb Bass, but has also had short spells playing Cornet and Baritone.

John’s most memorable time with Cockerton is a very successful period during the 1980’s when the band qualified for the National Finals of Great Britain for 4 consecutive years and performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

John is married to Pat, both his children Neil (Baritone) and Linda (Tenor Horn) have played for the band, while his 4 grandchildren are on standby!

James Harris - Eb Bass

James first started playing tenor horn when he was 9 under the tuition of Ian Robinson for a year. Whilst playing tenor horn he played with the Darlington district wind band. He was then moved onto baritone by Shaune Eland which he played for 6 months until Shaune tried him on a Ebb bass. When James moved to Carmel school he played bass permanently, playing for the school orchestra and brass band. In his first year of playing bass he was asked to play for the South regional wind band and Darlington youth brass band, due to other commitments he couldn’t make the brass band but he still plays with the regional band. James found out about Hurworth concert wind band but stopped playing after 3 months. At a concert he found out about Cockerton band and joined in the May of 2008. He played in the junior band and a couple of weeks in George Nicklin asked him to sit in with the senior band. James was asked to join Spennymoor Junior band and plays with them on their bass. Due to that James had to leave the District wind band but still assits them in concerts. James was then asked by Ian Robinson to join the little big band, a beginner section of the county youth big band. James is now a proud signed member of Cockerton band.

Cockerton Prize Silver Band