Coppull and Standish has announced that Richard Evans has accpeted their invitation to become President of the band.

Richard has a long established relationship with Coppull & Standish beginning in the 1950s. His first steps on the road to becoming “Dick the Stick” were taken when he accepted his first appointment as a conductor with Coppull in 1962.

His recollection of the band at his first rehearsal was of them being a 'ragged arsed militia' of 13 or so players of which the only direction possible to take was upCoppull & Standish Band

Ragged arsed militia

His recollection of the band at his first rehearsal was of them being a 'ragged arsed militia' of 13 or so players of which the only direction possible to take was up.

In his formative years as conductor of the band, one of his great mentors, William Haydock (of Bickershaw Colliery fame), would often rehearse the band for contests and Richard would play principal cornet. Coppull achieved many contest successes under Richard’s musical direction before he inevitably sought to enhance his illustrious career elsewhere.

Great boost

Secretary Teresa Trumble told 4BR: "To have such an eminent musician as Richard as our band’s President is amazing. When asked if he would take the position he had no hesitation in accepting. This is such a great boost for our band and cements our relationship with a great man."

Honour

Richard was equally as pleased: "It is great honour to be asked to be President at the band where my conducting career began. I have many fond memories and many friends associated with Coppull and Standish. I have no intention of being thought of as an old sleeping President. I want to be hands on and play an active part in the band."