The Deepcar Band has announced that MD Cathryn O'Shea will lead them for the last time at the Yorkshire Regional Championships this weekend.

Rejuvenated

Cathryn took up her first conducting appointment with Deepcar before the Area event in 2016 and subsequently rejuvenated the band to gain promotion to the Third Section for the first time in their history.

"I want to thank the band for such an enjoyable four years as Musical Director and for their hard work in achieving promotion and the other contest successes we've achieved together,"she said.

"I'm a different woman (with a different name!) from when I joined in 2016 but now owing to other commitments, I feel that I cannot give the band the time they deserve. I wish to focus on my health, my home and my husband, as well as my other responsibilities, being the Chair of a National Church Conference.

Since our very first rehearsal with Cat, we knew that she would fit in perfectly with us. We cannot thank her enough for her hard work and dedication over the past four yearsDeepcar Band

Proud

Cathryn added: "I wish the band all the best for the future and hope that we can end with a great performance at the Areas as the only Yorkshire band with a female conductor — a fact of which we are all very proud!"

In response, Band Chairman, James Broadhead said: "Since our very first rehearsal with Cat, we knew that she would fit in perfectly with us. We cannot thank her enough for her hard work and dedication over the past four years.

She was at the helm when we were promoted to the Third Section and she will be sorely missed by us all."