Wigan Album

A few names: back row: Jimmy Moss, Mr Grant, Walter Holmes. centre row: Paul Statter, Nigel Cavell, Anthony Heyes. front row: Brian Tollitt, Michael Dugdale, Jim Tollitt, Mr Cavell, Alan Mason, George Berry, David Shaw.

Hi Ian. Bow-Ties? Was it a special occasion?

Ian this is a great picture. I was a member of Trinity Girls Band and we always played in the same competitions as W&D. Alan was such a lovely person. Names I have come up with are - back row, 3rd left Ian Anderton, 6th left Ken Pollitt,7th left Pete Iddon, middle row 4th right Clive Bilsborough, plus all the ones you named. Will have a ponder on others but I know Stephen Price will be thrilled with this picture as he has been searching for one for ages. Thanks for sharing it.

Hi, Susan, Do you remember my wife, she is Alan Mason's eldest daughter Allison ? Or maybe her cousin Kathryn Shaw who played cornet with trinity girls ? All the best, Ian

Great photo Ian. I only hope as you are Alans step-son that there may be more to come. I can add a few more names. Back row 3rd from right Walt Ainscough Bass player. Middle row 3rd from left is Nigel Cavell, then me then Peter Crompton then Terry Nichols. Front row 3rd from left is Graham Winstanley.
Ian, Alan and my dad where workmates at Springs Branch and very good friends. We went on holiday to Wales together. Ask your wife if she remembers the holiday and my mum and dad, Marian and Tony Price. We used to visit them at their house opposite the bandroom in Goose Green.

Hi Sue, you're right luv, it's made mi day seeing this. It's extra special as it's from Allison, Alans daughter.
Frank, dickie bows where always worn no matter what the ocasion.

Hi, Stephen, Thanks for your comments, Allison remembers you and your parents visiting them, her mum still lives in the same house on Warrington Road. She also remembers the holiday and asked was there fishing involved? ha! All the best, Ian (Alan's son in law)

Ian sorry i put stepson in error. As for Alisons question, yes we did go fishing. A rather more alarming memory was going down a steep hill (Alan driving) only for Alan to say, 'Now don't get alarmed but we don't have any brakes'. How is David Shaw doing?

Yes Ian I do remember Kathryn,don
t think I remember Alison though probably met her numerous times. Well Stephen at last your 'ship' has come in LOL! These were such good times for us all with so many great memories.

Stephen, Dave Shaw's doing fine, I was with him last week. Will try and dig out some more photos & paper cuttings over the next few days. Allison remembers the band winning a cup around the date of the birth of her youngest sister 17/05/1969 and the band playing congratulations outside her mum's house, any idea what the trophy or competition was ? All the best, Ian

Ian, sorry i can't remember what the competition was. I have vague memories of winning a comp in Morecambe (held on the pier) and another one held in the Tower Ballroom Blackpool. I would love to know if anyone still has any records of the bands achievements. Ask Allison to say hello to her mum for me, i'm sure she has some nice memories of Marian and Tony. Would Alan have kept any records of the band?
I look forward to some more info and photo's.
Oh, and say hello to David as well for me please.

I well remember Nigel Cavell and his dad Fred, from my days at the Post Office, George Berry I remember him from the 1950's when I worked at Springs Branch.

Another name just come to me, front row right, tenor horn player was his name Paul Siney? Any idea Stephen or am I making names up now LOL!

Sorry Sue, only horn players name i can remember is David Shaw (wearing glasses). Cant believe how youg Nigel Cavell is on this photo (looks about 10yrs old)

Hi Stephen,
The bass player 3rd from right on the back row was not Walter Ainscough, it's Walter Holmes.
I played with the band in the 70s for about five years and Walt was a good mate, sadly he died.
Walter Ainscough at the time played the flugel horn.
We had a bass quartet consisting of Jimmy Moss, Rory Kelly, Walt Holmes and myself.
Teddy Gray was our conductor.

The tenor horn player on the front row, 3rd from right, is Phillip Jones, he went to Royal Doulton with Nigel Cavill, I also went there in 1976

Hi Stephen. I should have realised that bow-ties might be the norm; it goes without saying that they look smart.
(2nd attempt to make this comment; yesterday's went AWOL)

I remember well - Alan Mason , three inventions Leicester town hall WHO wills competition , we won ! I played the drums Mr Grant on bass ! (I have a recording scratched but playable)

Philip, I think it was De Montford Hall we played at on that day in Leicester. That test piece 3 Inventions was a very strange suite.

IS that Stephen Price? If it is, do you remember when we used to go and buy BOVRIL on the way home after practise. Terry Nicholson

I was the drummer in the band .. extreme right in the queens hall photo at the back. Does any one have the recording from the WHO wills competition ( three inventions) if so I would love a copy many of us are in our 60’s now lol we were 12-16 except Rory etc, Take care fellow band members.. Philip

I was the drummer in the band .. extreme right in the queens hall photo at the back. Does any one have the recording from the WHO wills competition ( three inventions) if so I would love a copy many of us are in our 60’s now lol we were 12-16 except Rory etc, Take care fellow band members.. Philip