The death has been reported of Arthur Morrison. He passed away in James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough on Tuesday 17th May after being diagnosed with cancer about a year ago. He was 88.

Trumpeter

Arthur learnt to play the cornet in the Salvation Army during the 1930`s and quickly became a leading dance band trumpeter in his local area of Middlesbrough. During National Service he was posted to Greece and was tasked with forming a dance band for the Officers Mess which then became in demand for engagements — especially around Athens.

On his return to England in 1949 he developed a reputation as a fine lead trumpeter and was a semi-professional musician in local dance bands for over 30 years as well as being a local government officer with Cleveland County Council.

He played in the resident band at the Ladle Hotel in Middlesbrough for most of this time, but met his dearly beloved wife to be Doreen from the Middlesbrough Town Hall stage, later marrying in 1952. They enjoyed a long and happy marriage until her death in 2008.

Encouraging

Arthur's son is the renowned cornet player and conductor Alan, and he told 4BR: "In the 1960's Arthur developed an interest in brass bands and joined the Cargo Fleet Works Band at the same time encouraging my sister Joy and I to join the junior band.

After a spell with the Billingham Silver he took on the task in 1971 of reforming the defunct Haverton Hill Silver Band from Port Clarence developing it into one of the most popular local organisations in the Middlesbrough area.

From about this time he also discovered a love of teaching particularly of young people, and hundreds if not thousands of pupils passed through his hands armed with a detailed musical education and sound technique. Several of these players went on to play with some of the finest bands in the country."

Enjoyed

Although by late eighties a chronic back problem forced him to retire from work and stand down from his role with Haverton Hill Band Arthur continued to teach music throughout his retirement and enjoyed listening to concerts by all bands in the area.

He was a regular at Saltburn Bandstand on summer Sunday afternoons and offered encouragement and advice to all performers who took him to their hearts.

My father continued to be involved and interested in brass banding right up to his death and regularly visited his friends at South Bank Town Band just to be involved in a rehearsal and feel part of the teamAlan Morrison

Part of the team

Alan added: "My father continued to be involved and interested in brass banding right up to his death and regularly visited his friends at South Bank Town Band just to be involved in a rehearsal and feel part of the team.

He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends, but he is now at peace and the pain is no more."

Funeral arrangements

The funeral will take place at 1.00pm on Friday 3rd June at St. Bedes Chapel, Teesside Crematorium, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 7HD and later at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Club on Ladgate Lane.