*
banner

Black Dyke delight at Hirst Christmas present

The return of bass trombonist Adrian Hirst has given Black Dyke the best banding Christmas present anyone could have hoped for.

Adrian Hirst
  Adrian Hirst made an emotional return to the Black Dyke ranks with friends Brett Baker and Garry Reed.

Black Dyke received a wonderful Christmas present at their recent concert in their home town of Queensbury, with the first appearance back in the iconic black, red and gold uniform of bass trombonist Adrian Hirst.

Horrific accident

Shortly after the band's Yorkshire Regional Championship win in March earlier this year, Adrian and his wife Karen were involved in a horrific, near fatal motor bike accident. It saw them both seriously hurt and undergo major surgery, with Adrian in particular having to face long road to recovery.

The accident was recently featured on the television programme 'Helicopter ER', which graphically showed just how close the pair had come to losing their lives.

Thanks to the response of the emergency services, including a doctor who, as good fortune would have it, was driving past at the time, the pair were rushed to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service.

25 years

Adrian who has been a stalwart member of Black Dyke for 25 years recently played again with friends and colleagues Brett Baker and Garry Reed of the Black Dyke Trombone Quartet at a special fund raising event for the Air Ambulance Service, so it was an even more emotional occasion when he joined the pair again to play in the concert Queensbury Parish Church.

Emotional thrill

Brett Baker told 4BR: "This has been the culmination of Adrian's determination and will power.

He really is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, as well as being a great player, so to have him back with us for this concert was such a huge emotional thrill for everyone in the band."

Director of Music, Prof Nicholas Childs agreed: "We couldn't have asked for anything better to round off the year. Adrian and Karen are wonderful people who have been so dedicated to the band.

The support Adrian has received from all over the brass band world showed what a popular and respected player he is. To hear him once more in the trombone ranks was the best Christmas present everyone associated with Black Dyke could have wished for."

To hear him once more in the trombone ranks was the best Christmas present everyone associated with Black Dyke could have wished forProf Nicholas Childs

Modest reply

In reply and in typical modest fashion, Adrian said: "It was great to play with the band once more after an unfortunate enforced nine month break! I'm convinced that the physical effort involved in getting back in practice has played a major part in my overall recovery — especially my lungs."

Meanwhile, Adrian's daughter Amy added: "The family would like to say a massive thank you to every single person who has been there for us throughout everything.

It means so much to us just how many of you care and have sent well wishes, visited, sent cards, flowers etc. My mother and father are amazing but so are you guys who have helped them through this hard time."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd