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