Derek Atkinson, one of the most respected officials and contest organisers in the UK has announced his retirement after 55 years of service to the banding movement.

Welcome

Derek (with Philip Wilby at the British Open above) and his wife Barbara has made the decision after a lifetime of being two of the most easily recognisable and welcoming faces in the contesting arena.

For 28 years Derek was instrumental in the success of Lancashire Contests and its predecessors the Preston & District of the North West Brass Band Association and the North West Counties Brass Band Association in which he served as secretary from 1986.

Derek was an executive member of the British Federation of Brass Bands and served as their European Brass Band Association representative from 2009 — 20124BR

New career

After an early start with the Salvation Army and subsequent service as an Army bandsman, Derek was notably associated with Haydock & Ashton, Pemberton Old, and for a relatively short period, with the successful Laporte Band, before taking up a new career as an influential administrator.

Derek was an executive member of the British Federation of Brass Bands and served as their European Brass Band Association representative from 2009 — 2012.