There will be a tribute paid to the life and achievements of Major Peter Parkes on the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Last Word’ today and repeated on Sunday at 8.30pm.

Influential

Hosted by broadcaster Matthew Bannister, the long running radio programme takes an informal look back at the lives of influential people who have recently died.

Trip

The producers made the trip to the Black Dyke bandroom in Queensbury on Thursday evening where they interviewed current MD Dr Nicholas Childs as well as player’s such as Phil Goodwin.

Importance

Band Manger Mike Shenton told 4BR that the inclusion in the programme reflects the importance of the conductor’s contribution to British music making.

"It’s a wonderful way for his magnificent contribution to music making in Britain to be remembered. He was a brass band legend of course, but his musical influence was far greater than that. We were honoured to be asked to make small contribution to the tribute."

He was a brass band legend of course, but his musical influence was far greater than that. We were honoured to be asked to make small contribution to the tributeBand Manager, Mike Shenton

Area achievement

The programme is due to be broadcast on Friday afternoon at 4.00pm, ahead of Black Dyke’s open rehearsal at Morley Town Hall at 7.30pm.

Mike added: "It’s appropriate that the programme goes out before the Yorkshire Area Championship in Bradford, as I’m sure a lot of people there will remember with great respect his achievements on the stage at St George’s Hall."