4BR has been informed of the death of Trevor Hargraves, a trombone player of note, well known in both the Midlands and Cornwall. He passed away on Sunday, 20th December aged 85.

Formidable team

Trevor's first band was Burbage Silver Band near his home in Hinckley (Leicestershire), later playing for City of Coventry Band conducted by Frank Robinson. In the 1950s he became part of a formidable team of 'cornermen' along with Brian Clarke (principal cornet) and Malcolm Teasdale (solo euphonium), which stayed together well into the 1970s.

Progress

During this period the band made tremendous progress under MD Albert Chappell with professional help from Alex Mortimer, with Trevor part of the band when it became the first British band to play behind the Iron Curtain during a tour of Czechoslovakia.

During this period, Trevor led an established trombone section together with Joe Richardson and Ron Stanley and was featured on the band's second LP on Henry Gheel's 'Romanza'.

Conwall move

In the 1970s, Trevor moved to Cornwall where he joined up again with Albert Chappell playing with St. Austell and Camborne, during which time he also enjoyed an active musical life, playing in concert, dance and show bands on a semi-professional basis. He was a member of the St. Austell Trombone Quartet and enjoyed another hobby that he called "messing about in boats".

Trevor returned to live in Hinckley around 2005 and continued to play.

Until very recently, he could be seen at the Midlands Area Championships at Bedworth which almost seemed like a City of Coventry Band reunion.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, son and daughter together with his grandchildren.

Until very recently, he could be seen at the Midlands Area Championships at Bedworth which almost seemed like a City of Coventry Band reunion4BR

Funeral details

The funeral will be at Heart of England Crematorium, Heart of England Way, Nuneaton, CV11 6WZ on Wednesday, 6th January at 12.00 noon.