*
banner

Death of Dunston stalwart

The death has been announced of Tommy Lee of the Dunston Band.

Dunston
 

Dunston Silver Band has announced the death of Tommy Lee, who died peacefully in hospital on 5th February, aged 93.

Life long association

Tommy had a lifelong association with the band, joining prior to the Second World War. During the war, he served in the Duke of Wellington Regiment in North Africa and Italy.

Whilst in Italy, Tommy made a number of friendships that were to last well beyond the war, which led to his organising several tours.

Tommy was always ready to give his time to encourage young playersDunston Band

Driver

During the 1960s, Dunston Silver Band undertook several tours of Northern Italy and Switzerland. Arranging transport for the tours was always made easier by the fact that Tommy was a bus driver for United Buses.

Later on, Tommy moved away from the area with his late wife Betty, only to return several years later to find that the band in Dunston had recently stopped practicing and most of the assets sold off.

He was one of the leading figures in re-founding the band in 1987. He was also well known as a regular at the practices of several other local bands, always promoting co-operation between bands but always warning against the practice of poaching players.

Encourage young players

Tommy was always ready to give his time to encourage young players.

As a BBb bass player, he had extra time for budding bass players, often giving them lifts to practices and band jobs. Tommy didn’t have a big car and his experience as a coach driver probably came in handy in packing lots of cases into a small space!

Tommy will be sadly missed by family, friends and members of Dunston Silver Band.

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    


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


City of Hull

Brooks and Beatty take dual baton role at City of Hull

June 7 • Daniel Brooks and Jonathan Beatty will spearhead the artistic and contesting focus of City of Hull Band.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


Phillip Lawrence

ARCM PGRNCM MFTCL ARCM B.Mus
Composer, conductor, teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd