The death has been reported of Sid Belshaw, the respected former baritone player at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. He was aged 78.

Described by friend and colleague Stan Lippeatt as a ‘model bandsman’, he enjoyed a long and varied playing career, starting in the North East with the Blackhall Colliery Band.

Sought after

He went on to become a much sought after player, but his sense of loyalty saw him only move to bands connected with his mining work — from Horden Colliery to Easington Colliery, before a work move south saw him perform with distinction with Markham Main, Brodsworth and Carlton Main.

He enjoyed considerable success with the bands he played with, but as Stan Lippeatt recalled to 4BR, it was his sense of true bandsmanship that gained greatest respect from his fellow players and peers.

Model bandsman

“Sid was a model bandsman,” he said. “They really don’t make them like him anymore — loyal, committed and dedicated. You knew where you were with Sid from the moment you met him and he repaid your faith in him 100 times over.”

Proud

He added: “Sid was more proud that he met his beloved wife Judith through banding and that he was able to enjoy hearing his son David play at the top level with some of the finest bans in the country.

Only then would he tell you that he hadn’t missed a Mineworkers Contest since 1961.”

They really don’t make them like him anymore — loyal, committed and dedicatedStan Lippeatt

Funeral

The funeral will take place on January 14th at 2.20pm at Rosehill Crematorium in Doncaster.