*
banner

Dobson despair

Composer hopes for miracle as lap top goes missing.

Dobson
 

Composer Simon Dobson is hoping that a good Samaritan was walking the streets of Norwich last Saturday night – and has picked up his laptop for safe keeping rather than short term profit.

Missing

Simon was waiting to meet friends outside St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich after the concert given by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and left his laptop, which was in a black rucksack, unattended just for a minute or two.

It seems that in that time, someone came along and picked it up, either deliberately or by mistake, and walked away with Simon’s new Apple Mac notebook inside, complete with memory banks packed to the gills with his latest compositions and work, as well as some invaluable memory sticks of music given to him by Bramwell Tovey.

It’s those little memory sticks though that I am really desperate to get back, as they contain priceless ideas and work from Bramwell Tovey who has been helped me so much in recent monthsSimon Dobson

Mistake

"I’m just hoping that the rucksack has been picked up by mistake," Simon told 4BR.

"Luckily, I have all my main music files backed up, so the Apple Mac, even though it is brand new, can be replaced. It’s those little memory sticks though that I am really desperate to get back, as they contain priceless ideas and work from Bramwell Tovey who has been helped me so much in recent months."

Help

Simon has contacted the local police, but hopes those contents can be returned to him, even if the laptop has to be replaced.

"If I can get those memory sticks back I would be thrilled. I can replace the lap top, but not those little gems."

Contact

If anyone has any information about the lap top, please contact Simon on 07870 211229.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Swoss Open

Result: 2026 Besson Swiss Open

September 21 • Brass Band Treize Etoile regains possession of the Swiss Open title in Lucerne.


York

Result: 2026 Third Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Let it snow... Allerton claims the Third Section honours in York.


York

Result: 2026 Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Wardle Community are the ultimate Heroes of the North as they claim the National title in York.


York Barbican

Result: 2026 First Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 19 • Marsden discover the source of a thunderous success in York.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (28th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us.. Our rehearsals are friendly and relaxed with players from many local bands joining together to make music.. Tea and cake involved and it’s all free


St John's Band (Mossley)

September 20 • We are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.. . We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and have a varied calendar of concerts, contests and ten-piece engagements.


Kibworth Band

September 18 • Kibworth Band (First Section from Jan - South Leicestershire) invites percussion players to join our friendly, ambitious team. We rehearse Monday and Thursday evenings in our purpose built band room under MD Brendan Caddy.


Nicholas B. Hudson

FTCL LGSMD (Hons)
Musician | Trombonist | Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd