At this year’s English National Brass Band Championship held at the Elgar Hall of Birmingham University, Derek Atkinson, one of the most respected officials and contest organisers in UK banding was presented with ‘A Lifetime Service Award’ by Brass Bands England.

Welcoming

Derek and his wife Barbara are two of the most easily recognisable and welcoming faces in the contesting arena.

For 30 years Derek was instrumental in the success of Lancashire Contests and its predecessors the Preston & District of the North West BBA and the North West Counties BBA in which he served as secretary from 1986.

Early start

After an early start with the Salvation Army and subsequent service as a bandsman with Her Majesties’ 1st Royal Dragoons, Derek was notably associated with Haydock and Ashton Youth Band, Pemberton Old, and for a relatively short period, with the successful Laporte Band (Warrington), before taking up a new career as an influential administrator.

Derek and his wife Barbara are two of the most easily recognisable and welcoming faces in the contesting arena4BR

EBBA rep

Derek finished his playing career with the Merseyside Police Band and also served as an executive member of the British Federation of Brass Bands and as their European Brass Band Association representative from 2009 — 2012.