*
banner

Black Dyke mourn loss of former President

Black Dyke has announced the death of Donald Hanson, the man who helped secure the future of the band following the demise of the John Foster & Son textile business.

Donald HNSON
  The death has been announced of Donald Hanson

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.

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    


Fjord

Echoes of the fjord to be heard in Stavanger

April 3 • The Gala Concert at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger will evoke the folk music sounds of the fjords with a brass band twist.


Andrea Price

Andrea Price appointed to Kapitol Music Panel

April 3 • The critically acclaimed musician joins the Kapitol Music Panel to help select future Regional and National test-pieces.


SEWBBA

Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar

April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.


Cheltenham

Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.

April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.


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


Welwyn Garden City Band

April 4 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied summer season ahead of us. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Bedworth Brass

April 4 • Bedworth Brass, Midlands 1st Section band are looking for a talented and enthusiastic soprano player to join the ranks of our hard working and social band.


Bedworth Brass

April 4 • Bedworth Brass, Midlands 1st Section band are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Bass Trombone player to join the ranks of our hard working and social band.


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd