It says everything you need to know about the musical life of Haydn Griffiths MBE that his name doesn’t even appear in the title of his own banding biography.
His ethos - ‘Don’t start, join in’, perfectly sums up nearly 55 years and counting of dedicated commitment to the ensemble he founded - the Armthorpe Elmfield Band in Yorkshire - and over 85 years of an all-encompassing passion (starting with his first concert engagement in May 1935) distilled in brass band music making.
Endeavour and determination
As the story, told with an obvious degree of affectionate respect by author Alan Barber reveals, he is a quite a remarkable man. Without people such as ‘HG’ as he is known, community brass banding in the UK would wither and die. The honour of the MBE has never been so well deserved.
Griffiths is hewn out of Yorkshire endeavour and determination – no nonsense and straight talking. He is also a man who placed personal ambition a distant second behind communal achievement (something that was seemingly in the family banding DNA).
As a result, a talented and much sought after cornet player (19 years as principal cornet of Markham Main Colliery Band) became the inspirational catalyst for generations of young players to enjoy their music making.
This then is no pointless almanac of selected personal glories - of titles and triumphs; but a neatly framed anecdotal portrait of a musician imbued with a deep sense of loyalty, decency and above all else, a lasting love for his all embracing hobby.
All embracing hobby
This then is no pointless almanac of selected personal glories - of titles and triumphs; but a neatly framed anecdotal portrait of a musician imbued with a deep sense of loyalty, decency and above all else, a lasting love for his all embracing hobby.
It’s a story of local parades and concerts, weddings and fund-raising nights, overseas adventures and National Finals, friendships old, new and forever lasting.
It is also one that so many bands will identify with; from the humour (how Kevin Keegan never signed for the fledgling Elmfield House Youth Band) to sadness, to traditions proudly maintained and new horizons and challenges faced head on.
At its helm – like the captain of a fine hand built ship, has always been the figure of Haydn Griffiths MBE; imperturbable and inspirational.
Thanks to this enjoyable book, his legacy, which has a few more chapters still to be written, will hopefully last for many more generations to come.
Iwan Fox
To purchase: https://www.facebook.com/ArmthorpeElmfield/
