Crofton Silver Band

Meet the Band

John Roach

Second Baritone

Length of time with band: 54 years, 8 months.
Best banding moment: Winning 4th Section at Bradford 2007 and on the same day receiving an award on stage for 50 years in Banding.
Funniest banding moment: Watching Harold Booth in Blackpool falling backwards on a chair with a full pint and not spilling a drop. (That takes some doing!)
Favourite Pizza Topping: Margherita

Biography

I started playing with the Band in 1956 when I was 14. I used to stand outside the Royal Oak in Crofton on a Sunday morning listening to the Band rehearsing and, one particular morning, I was asked if I would like to come inside and listen to them playing which, of course, I did and from that day I was hooked!

I began by playing the cornet for a short time but then went on to the tenor horn which then became my instrument. My first contest was in 1959 at Manchester Belle Vue.

I started to play the bass drum on marches in 1966 and then went on to teach myself percussion, both kit and tuned. I have played most instruments in my time but prefer horn or baritone.

I am still on percussion at the moment but would like to go back to playing horn or baritone. (Any one out there fancy it?)

I have been with the Band now for 52 years (including 21 years as Secretary) and hope to do a few more years before I retire. I still enjoy banding just as much as when I first started and enjoy playing and socialising with a great mix of people.