Alan Hope has told 4BR that he has been overwhelmed by messages of thanks and congratulations following the news of his official retirement as Regional Secretary to the North of England Regional Championships in Darlington.

Over 140 years

The event actually saw the retirement of three stalwart servants to the banding movement in the Area, with Alan joined by George Bramfitt and Tom Ruecroft (retired Treasurer).

Between them and Peter Dalby, they quartet amassed a total of almost 140 years of loyal service to the Regional Committee and to North of England bands, and the occasion was marked by a presentation from the Regional Committee and contributing bands of beautiful watercolour prints of the iconic views of Durham Cathedral.

Overwhelmed

Alan told 4BR: "I think I can speak for us all when I say we were overwhelmed by the reception given to us.

It has been a great honour and a privilege to serve the great banding community in the North of England — one which I know all of us believe to be at the very heart of all that is good in banding in the UK."

It has been a great honour and a privilege to serve the great banding community in the North of England — one which I know all of us believe to be at the very heart of all that is good in banding in the UKAlan Hope

Humbling

He added: "We have all received so many messages of thanks and congratulations that it has been very humbling.

We all would like to thank everyone for their time and support over the years — and we are all now looking forward to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the great brass band music making of our North of England bands."