The Hatfield Band will be taking to the stage at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in Huddersfield this weekend with what they believe may be the biggest age differential of tuba players on show in the Championship Section.

79 year old principal Bb Bass, Derek Dawson is a well-known in the Yorkshire brass band movement — being a former long-standing member of Grimethorpe Colliery, Kippax and Barnsley Bands during his fantastic career. Meanwhile, at the other end of the generation scale comes 15 year old Joe Sykes, who will be making his Area debut.

Age and experience

The contrasts in age as well as experience cannot be any great according to Band Manager Robert Brown, as he told 4BR: "It's wonderful to see two players of different generations playing in the same band.

Joe is our most recent recruit having joined through a partnership initiative between Hatfield and the Doncaster Schools Vermuyden Concert Band, led by Paul Davies, Head of Doncaster Music Education Hub and our principal Eb bass player.

Derek on the other hand played 'Pageantry' under the great George Thompson at Grimethorpe in the 1960s — and has told us he can play it with his eyes shut!"

Derek on the other hand played 'Pageantry' under the great George Thompson at Grimethorpe in the 1960s — and has told us he can play it with his eyes shut!Band Manager, Rob Brown

No trouble!

Hatfield MD Stan Lippeatt is also delighted by the mix of youth and experience, and told 4BR: "Age hasn't wearied Derek — he still a great player, and he's told me that it keeps him going to see talented youngsters like Joe come through.

I am really pleased with Joe and his enthusiasm is infectious. I just hope he doesn't lead Derek into any trouble in the coming years!"