Shipston Town Band has informed 4BR of the death of one of their longest serving members, Dennis Abbotts, who passed away in the Ellen Badger Hospital Shipston on Stour on Tuesday 4th May, three days after his 71st birthday.

Well known

Dennis was well known around all the local bands and also in the wider brass band scene where he regularly attended the concert and contest performances of both Sellers Engineering and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery where his daughter Kirsty was principal cornet.

Much missed

Band Secretary, David Birch, told 4BR: "It is very much an understatement to say that the band will miss Dennis terribly. Here was a bandsman’s bandsman who gave unstintingly of his time and energy frequently putting the band before other interests he and his wife, Margaret had."

Here was a bandsman’s bandsman who gave unstintingly of his time and energy frequently putting the band before other interestsSecretary, David Birch

Dedication

David added: "It is a true reflection of his nature that in one of our last conversations, he was really pleased that two of our juniors had moved on to bass. A 9 year old Eb player and a 10 year old Bb player. Both are making excellent progress and if they show the commitment, dedication and effort which Dennis showed, they won’t go far wrong."

Funeral

The funeral will take place at St Edmund’s Church, Church Street Shipston on Friday May 14th at 2.00pm.