Andrew Smith has announced his retirement from his role as principal cornet with Flowers Band.

The highly respected player has been an integral part of the band's success since joining in 2009, but with a young family to support alongside work commitments, he has taken the decision to step down.

Family first

"It's time to put the family first,"he told 4BR. "They've been so supportive of me over the years that I didn't want to miss out anymore due to the demands of top flight banding.

My thanks go to David Childs and the members of Flowers who fully understand my position, and I wish them well for the future. They are a great band full of great people who I will now support avidly from the sidelines."

Focal point

Andrew joined Flowers as assistant principal in 2009, but soon took over the top chair on the arrival of MD Paul Holland from his previous band at Newbridge.

During his tenure he became a focal point of excellence on the contest and concert platform — winning two consecutive 'Best Instrumentalist' awards at the Grand Shield as Flowers powered their way back to the top echelons of British banding.

It's time to put the family first. They've been so supportive of me over the years that I didn't want to miss out anymore due to the demands of top flight bandingAndrew Smith

No fear

"Those years under Paul were something to cherish,"he added "The confidence the band had on the contest stage was something else — we played with no fear.

The success we enjoyed at the West of England and Butlins in particular was built on that, and so were our outstanding performances at the British Open, National Championships, Brass in Concert and French Open.

I'll miss that of course, and the memory of so many highlights in concerts and recordings, but the future is now focussed elsewhere, with an occasional bit of personal practice to enjoy for myself."