Dodworth Colliery MW Bands recent concert at Dodworth Central Social Club was the last one that principal cornet Gemma Hankins will play at for a while.

Gemma has decided that she needed to concentrate on her career as music tutor which sees her conducting quite a number of junior orchestras and ensembles in her spare time and also mini tours with the groups of young musicians.

The band and myself would all like to thank Gemma for her time at Dodworth where she has helped us progress to the position we are in todayMD, Eliot Darwin

Commitments

Gemma had been juggling all her commitments for a number of months and has decided to take some time out to cope with her busy schedule, but she has promised it won't be the last time we see or hear her play with Dodworth.

Gemma joined the band on flugel and moved onto the principal cornet chair just before the 2007 Yorkhire area contest where they won and gained promotion to the 2nd Section.

Difficult decision

Gemma told 4BR: "It has been a really difficult decision to make because I have gained so much from my time with Dodworth, they are a great bunch to be with but I needed to decide one way or the other while the opportunity was there."

Thanks

Eliot Darwin, Dodworths Musical Director told 4BR: "The band and myself would all like to thank Gemma for her time at Dodworth where she has helped us progress to the position we are in today. All of us here wish Gemma all the very best in her future pursuits."