Black Dyke is mourning the loss of one of its greatest supporters, with news of the death of former Band President and the Founding Chairman its Board of Trustees, Donald Hanson. He was aged 93.

A proud Yorkshire brass band enthusiast, Donald Hanson was the highly respected Chairman of the Bradford & Bingley Building Society — a position he held until 1995.

Sponsorship

In that role he stepped forward in 1994 to take responsibility for securing sponsorship of £70,000 per year as the John Foster & Son textile business was closing, and the band's future was placed in grave doubt.

He also went on to assemble and lead a group of like-minded friends to continue to support the band when that Bradford & Bingley sponsorship agreement came to an end. He later stepped down to become a trustee and much admired Band President.

Unsurpassed

David Allen, Chairman of Trustees, told 4BR: "Donald's contribution to the history of Black Dyke is unsurpassed. His remarkable generosity and warmth of personality will be sorely missed by all in the Black Dyke Band family. His legacy lives on in the Donald Hanson Bandroom and the Black Dyke Band of 2018."

Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs who enjoyed a close working relationship with Donald Hanson, added: "Donald had wonderful business acumen, but his heart was full of kindness and music. There was no doubt that his favourite band was Black Dyke — and he made sure he told plenty of his friends that fact.

He was the first President and founder of the Board of Trustees, and many consider that without his actions to purchase the bandroom in the mid 1990's it would have been difficult to imagine how the band would have survived in his beloved Queensbury."

many consider that without his actions to purchase the bandroom in the mid 1990's it would have been difficult to imagine how the band would have survived in his beloved QueensburyProf Nicholas Childs

Memorial service

It is understood that there will be a private family funeral, although initial plans are already underway for a special memorial service in March.