*
banner

Black Dyke Time Team...

Can you help identify the great and good of an old Black Dyke picture....

bLACK dYKE
 

Jim Shepherd, the former principal cornet with the Black Dyke Band, is looking for help from former players and fans of the band in identifying people from an old photograph he has had in his possession for many years.

Old picture

Jim rescued the photograph from the old Black Dyke Mills building during his time at the band, and recently re-discovered it whilst sorting through an old drawer in his house.

Jim told 4BR: “Well I’ve had it for years. I found it at the Mill in a drawer when I first went to play at Dyke. I kept it because it was Dyke memorabilia, but forgot about it until I recently re-discovered it again.”

He added: “I haven’t got much from my time at Dyke really, just a cap badge and the odd photograph, but as I’ve had this picture all these years it would be great know who is on it. If we can find out I would love to be able to get it properly copied, framed and returned to the band.”

1946 — 1950

Jim believes that the picture was taken at a concert at the Victoria Hall opposite the Black Dyke bandroom between 1946 and 1950, with the identities of quite a few of the people already known.

“I think it’s in the Victoria Hall, because that was all oak paneled and that seems to be the background — but as to the occasion I wouldn’t know.

Great players

The dates suggested coincide with some of the players on the picture such as Willy Lang, Denzil Stephens, Gordon Sutcliffe, Buddy Burns and Owen Bottomley, and there are the greats such as Harry Mortimer and AO Pearce of course, but others I just can’t find out who they are — although you cannot miss a very young Geoffrey Whitham!”

The dates suggested coincide with some of the players on the picture such as Willy Lang, Denzil Stephens, Gordon Sutcliffe, Buddy Burns and Owen BottomleyJim Shepherd

Contact:

Any information about the picture and the identities of the people will be gratefully received.

If you have any information, please contact: HLVarley@gmail.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Flowers

Flowers stars to inspire next generation

September 16 • The Oxfordshire & District Brass Bands Association will host a special youth workshop with members of Flowers Band — so get along.


Royston

Balsom return to Royston gains BBC coverage

September 16 • Award winning trumpeter recently returned to her brass banding roots as she prepared for her final concert appearance at the Last Night of the Proms.


Red Admiral

Live stream for Red Admiral watching

September 16 • If you can't make it to the Red Admiral Entertainment contest later this month you can sit back an enjoy it at home instead.


BBE Podcast

Brass Band Podcast Season 2: The Next Generation

September 16 • The second season of BBE's popular podcast series returns exploring the themes of the future of brass bands, leadership, and music-making.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Crewe Brass

September 16 • We are looking for CORNET players (position negotiable) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd