The Shirland Band has said a fond farewell to cornet player Ian Beckett.

Goodies

MD Marie Smith presented him with a bag full of gifts before he headed off to Stavanger in Norway to work in the oil industry.

Ian learned to play under Marie’s guidance at the age of 4 and over the years has accumulated no less than 125 first prizes at solo competitions and became Junior Slow Melody Champion in 1999. As a principal cornet player he led Shirland Training Band during their rise from 4th to 1st Section.

MD Marie Smith presented him with a bag full of gifts before he headed off to Stavanger in Norway to work in the oil industry4BR

Champion

He was also part of the Shirland quartet that became National Junior Champions in 2002 & 2003 and was a member of the National Youth Band of Great Britain between 2002-2007.

Expertise

Ian recently obtained a 1st Class Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering and will now be using his expertise in oil well engineering with the Norwegian B.G. Group.

After 20 years though he has also decided not to give up playing and will take his cornet to Norway looking for a band to play with!