The 2012 British Open will see two cornet players make a piece of personal banding history for themselves on the weekend.
First and forty first
16 year old Gareth Johnson will make his debut with Reg Vardy, whilst the great Brian Taylor will be making his 41st appearance with Fairey.
Gareth becomes the first young player from the NASUWT Riverside Concert Band to play at the world’s oldest major championship – a fantastic milestone for both him and the organisation, which was set up as a training band less just seven years ago.
Sky the limit
Less than a year ago Gareth was playing principal cornet with the band at the National Finals in Cheltenham in the Fourth Section. On the weekend he will play on the front row with the North of England challengers.
A spokesperson for NASUWT Riverside Concert told 4BR: "Everyone associated with the band is very proud that Gareth will play at the British Open with Reg Vardy. It goes to show that when setting up a youth band the sky really is the limit for young players with talent and determination."
Fairey legend
Meanwhile, the legendary Fairey cornet player Brian Taylor, will compete in his 41st Open Championship on the weekend – in what is believed to be a record in the modern post war Open era.
Amazingly, it could have been even more, but a bad back kept him out of action a couple of years ago, so missing out on what would have been 42 consecutive appearances!
Finest around
This year, he beats former Fairey soprano player and great friend, Alan Wycherley’s record of 40 appearances at the contest.
Regarded as one of the finest cornet players of his generation, Brian has become ‘Mr Fairey’, and has enjoyed an amazing record at the contest – being principal cornet on four victories.
Brian’s achievement is a fantastic testament to one of the great cornet players of modern bandingFairey Chairman, Martin Gernon
Measure of the man
Chairman, Martin Gernon told 4BR: "Brian’s achievement is a fantastic testament to one of the great cornet players of modern banding. The fact that all 41 appearances have been with Fairey is a measure of the immense loyalty and commitment to the band, the likes of which will never be known again."
He added: "He is not only a legend, but the humblest, most gracious guy you could ever meet, and we are sure the whole of the banding movement will pay tribute to him as he takes to the stage once again in the famous Fairey Band colours.
He has also told us that he is determined to make it 50 not out too!"
The contest also sees Fairey notch up a record 70th consecutive appearance at the Open, with high hopes of adding to their formidable record of 16 wins.
