4BR has been informed of the death of Harry Bentham.

One of the most respected brass band musicians in the North West area, he was aged 89.

Regarded by many, including Richard Evans, as, ‘an icon of the banding movement’ he enjoyed a remarkable musical career.

Funeral

The funeral will take place at St Michael’s & All Angels Church in Croston near Chorley om 20th April at 12.30pm.

Regarded by many, including Richard Evans, as, ‘an icon of the banding movement’ he enjoyed a remarkable musical career4BR

In praise

In 2007, Richard Evans wrote the following item in praise of Harry Bentham on 4BR.

"Harry Bentham, who according to Richard Evans has been 'a veritable icon of the Brass Band Movement' has finally decided to retire.

According to the Coppull and Standish Band, 'All good things come to an end' and in his two year tenure with the band Harry had been a significant contributor in securing their promotion to the Third Section. Harry’s last contest with the band will be at Pontins in November.

Not quite finished

However, he hasn't quite finished just yet, and he will be assisting the band in the auditioning and selection of his successor as well as continuing to provide private tuition to students along with ad-hoc freelance conducting assignments.

Distinguished career

Considering that on the 22nd December 2007 Harry Bentham will be celebrating his 85th birthday, Harry has had a fantastic and distinguished career.

It was way back in 1930 when Harry Bentham began his illustrious career in the Brass Band Movement. At the age of 8 he was brought by his father to the then Coppull Band. He continued to be taught by his father and changed to cornet when he was 10 and became principal cornet 4 years later.

Outbreak of War

Due to the outbreak of war in 1939 Harry went to the Horwich Band where many players, too young to go to war, were plying their trade.

By 1943 the band achieved Championship Section status, winning the May Festival on Academic Festival Overture with Harry once again on the principal cornet chair, a position which saw him compete in the British Open until 1947, and during those years broadcast 35 times on radio, many times as a soloist.

Following Horwich securing 3rd place in the Daily Herald area contest Harry had the pleasure of playing Principal Cornet under the baton of the late Harry Mortimer in massed bands (Horwich, Wingates and Barrow) at Victoria Hall, Bolton.

Leyland

It was 1947 when he was invited to join Leyland Motors on the top chair by the late Harold Moss. Once again after passing the B.B.C auditions the band broadcast numerous times on radio.

Harry’s conducting career began in 1951, when Harold Moss invited him to be his deputy conductor. The Grand Shield moved from Crystal Palace to Belle Vue in 1952 and playing Pride of Race, Leyland secured 1st place in the inaugural contest.

Eric Ball

During his playing career Harry had the privilege to play under Eric Ball. Banding doesn’t come much better than playing two of the great mans compositions, Resurgam and Morning Rhapsody under his own musical directorship.

After a 25 year gap, 1955 saw Harry back at Coppull as Musical Director after resigning from Leyland to concentrate on conducting. In his first contest at Dearham, Cumbria, Coppull picked up 1st and 2nd prizes adjudicated by Harry Mortimer’s father Fred. Under Harry’s guidance Coppull rose to 2nd section nationally.

Haigh Band sought Harry’s services in 1956 where he gladly obliged and helped them to Championship status and a win in the Grand Shield.

Conducting

Following the retirement of Mr. W Haydock, in 1960, from the Wigan Boys Band, Harry took over conducting there and along with an illustrious gang of players such as Len Withington, Jack Withington, John Withington, Allan Withington, Gordon Clough, Keith Hollinshead and John Maines he added many more prizes to his collection.

Back to Leyland

1963 and 1968 saw him move to Crooke Miners and back to Leyland Motors respectively and 1970 was the beginning of a 6 year relationship as MD with Hoggarths (Preston).

During this time the band secured 3rd prize in the Championship Section on three occasions even though they were competing against the “Big Guns” of the brass band world.

Hoggarths broadcasted many times on radio and also competed in the BBC competition Champion Brass against the CWS Manchester band.

Old Bill

The 'Old Bill' was the next to come calling with the Lancashire Constabulary Band inviting him to be Musical advisor in 1976 and then Musical Director in 1977.

As if one band at a time wasn’t enough, during his time with the 'coppers' he also worked (or should that be moonlighted) with the Hesketh Bank Band and had great success with both of them.

He was asked to come out of retirement by Rivington & Adlington in 2002 to help them out over a 3 week period. Typical of a man who has banding in his blood, he stayed for 3 years and helped them gain 3rd section status.

Return home

So in 2005 the man returned back to Coppull and Standish where he started off 74 years previously. In his first contest in charge he succeeded in steering us out of the contest wilderness to a well earned 2nd prize at the Brass at the Guild contest.

Many of the members of the band have been associated with Harry over his 76 years of brass band service and are amazed that every practice under his baton was a learning experience. Each time we gathered as a band we learned something new or got reminded of the basics of what makes a better player.

All the best

Whoever with and wherever Harry may continue his banding, long may we hear, “Reconcile your mind to pitch…… and breathe with me”

May we wish Harry all the best for the future and offer him our continued friendship in years to come.

Richard Evans

Hesketh remember

The Hesketh Bank Band has also paid tribute to its former conductor.

They told 4BR: "A talented and gifted musician, Harry was associated with North West Brass Bands for over 80 years. He began playing with Coppull Band at only 8 years old, and by the age of 14 he was Principal Cornet.

In his heyday he played at the top level with various bands, winning the coveted Grand Shield, broadcasting regularly on the B.B.C. and played under the baton of the late Harry Mortimer.

Harry’s conducting career began in 1951, winning many prizes with bands at all levels and was a much-loved teacher and mentor to countless young players, some becoming well-respected professional musicians.

Harry took over the baton at Hesketh Bank in 1980 and became a firm favourite with audiences far and wide, presenting a wide selection of music at the band’s concerts.

One of the finest moments in Harry’s career came in 1985 when he conducted Hesketh Bank as they won the 4th Section National Brass Band Finals at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Harry told friends only recently that he had enjoyed the time he spent at Hesketh Bank over the years and he felt that they were like a family to him.