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John, or 'Johnny B' as he is known in the band, started off his playing career after a good attendance record at the Salvation Army Citadel in Northgate, Darlington, secured him a place in their Junior Band, at the age of 9. With some help from the MD, Harry White, John left the band after a few years to join Newton Ayecliffe Town Band (which is where he met his fellow front row player and good friend, John Liversedge).

At the age of 16 John decided to have a break from playing but 10 years later returned to the brass band world. After buying a new cornet and a large Arben exercise book in Williams music shop, John practiced night after night until one night he was interrupted by John Liversedge knocking at the door, John asked him to join a brass band, and the rest is history. Johns brass band highlights include playing at the Royal Albert Hall with the Salvation Army and 3 times with Fishburn Band.

Yvonne was taught to play the cornet at the age of 10 at school, by Ian Robinson, and also played in the Darlington Youth Band. At 18 she joined the Durham Constabulary Band on 2nd cornet and with the help of Cliff Sayers progressed to the front row. She played with the band for 10 years and went to the National Finals in London with them.

In 1998 she moved to Broughtons Brass Band, who she also went to the National Finals with. In 2002 the band came 4th in the Championship Section Area. During her time with the band she helped teach the junior members. In 2003 she travelled to Torquay to support Cockerton Band in the National Finals, and was offered the Repiano cornet position, which she accepted and still occupies. Yvonne helps with the junior / learners band.

The band are very grateful for all of the help from Yvonnes mam, Christine. Inparticularly at christmas, collecting outside in all weathers while the band play carols.

Isaac started playing cornet when he joined the army on the 8th January 1963 where he stayed until 1974. Isaac has a short spell on Eb bass for 2 years after his front teeth were kicked out playing football.

After a 12 year gap of no playing, he joined Aycliffe Brass Band and the TA band. He stayed at Aycliffe for 3 years then transferred to Cockerton. Isaac still plays with the TA band.

One of the long standing members of Cockerton, playing with the band for 22 years, Isaac - our Irish contingent (whose profile was handed in on a beer mat) - is one of the true characters of the band.

Emily started to learn to play cornet when she was 6 years old and was taught by fellow cornet player Steve Goodwin. When Emily reached the grand old age of 10 she recieved lessons from George Nicklin (Cockertons MD) and with the help of George, sucessfully achieved her Grade 6 on cornet and played for Spennymoor Junior Band. Emily has also achieved her Grade 5 on flute.

As well as playing for Cockerton, Emily keeps busy by playing for Darlington Youth Brass Band, South Regional Wind band (on flute) and the County Big Band (on trumpet).

Colin started to play at the age of 9 when he followed his brother down to the local brass band (because he didn't want to miss out on anything!) and was givena cornet to play. He then grew up in Nailsworth Silver Band (in Gloucestershire), playing Flugel Horn for a while and progressing to become principle cornet player around the age of 17. During these years he was also a founder member of the Gloucestershire Concert Band (later to become the Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra) under the musical direction of Ian Willey and in 1980 toured the US and Canada with them.

At University, Colin played with the Oxford Colleges Big Band under Tom Chatburn, playing as the 'warm up' act for a Slade concert in December 1982, and during a year working in Germany played in the Gymnasialkapelle of Vechta. One of the stranger experiences of these years was to get a part in a production of Tom Stoppard's 'Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead' at the Oxford Playhouse, simply because the Director was looking for someone willing to walk on stage and fall over, all whilst playing the trumpet - although he took the precaution of borrowing his brothers trumpet for the occasion!

As time passed, his playing began to tail off, though he did play and sing regularly for a couple of years with ST. Aldate's Church Music Group in Oxford, recording the albumn 'King of Kings' with them in 1985. From about 1990 his cornet scarcely left its case until 2006 when Cockerton Band came to play at West Park Hospital, where he works as a Chaplain. He had long promised himself that he would start playing again and recieved a warm welcome at the band, who have borne with him patiently whilst he struggled to get his lip back.

Edd joined the band just in time for the area contest in 2009. Edd plays an impressive twelve instruments. Primarily he is a guitarist, although he has also played flugelhorn, soprano and tenor trombones, double bass and bass guitar in the Youth Big Band and Youth Brass Band respectively. Edd also enjoys playing 5-string banjo, violin and trumpet and is a baritone singer.

Edd's primary musical engagement is his 5 piece pop rock band, "Syndicate Theory", in which he sings lead backing vocals, plays guitar and mandolin, along with being designated band manager and primary songwriter. To visit the bands myspace page click here.

Currently on the first of a series of two gap years before going to University to study Music Production, Edd works in 'Inside-Out' club in Darlington and has taken up playing drums, as well as joining Cockerton Band and Vox Choir.