The South Yorkshire Police Band has been on an active recruitment drive as they prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships in Bradford under MD, Leigh Baker.

Touch of class

Former principal cornet Leisa Mallelieu-Ingman, returns to the end chair after a spell at Wakefield Metropolitan and is joined by Phil Barrett and William Houghton and Dave Gordon in the cornet section.

Leigh told 4BR: "Leisa has such a distinctive sound and style and gives us a touch of class on principal cornet. She is the sort of player who really adds points."

Signings

Meanwhile, former Black Dyke soprano player and respected conductor David Hirst will play repiano, whilst Clare Daws comes in on flugel horn.

Adrian Green returns solo horn with daughter Charlotte on 2nd horn, and her sister Georgia on cornet. Adrian’s wife Elizabeth has also joined the percussion section to make it a real family affair.

Vykki Whelan and Rob Hibberd return to the solo euph and bass trombone, whilst the experienced Wayne Bostwick will take his seat in the bass section. The final recruitment is Callum Kimpton who joins the percussion section.

We’ve made some great signings over the last few months, recruiting a healthy mix of youthful young guns with massive potentialMD, Leigh Baker

Massive potential

Leigh Baker added: "We’ve made some great signings over the last few months, recruiting a healthy mix of youthful young guns with massive potential and experienced stagers who will bring huge stability to the band.

The future looks bright for the band and I particularly want to pay tribute to players who have made internal moves to help strengthen the team."