Cornet Section

Soprano Cornet Malcolm Usher

Malcolm started playing at age 11 years, taught by his father whilst with Hartlepool Silver Band. He originally played trombone but swiftly moved onto the cornet. Former bands have included Darlington Youth, Cockerton Silver, Amoco and Newton Aycliffe. It was whilst at Amoco that Malcolm was 'press-ganged' into playing Soprano and has remained on that instrument ever since. Influences over the years have included Barry Shaw (Hartlepool Silver's Principal Cornet), Jim Shepherd and Maurice Andre. Malcolm joined Fishburn Band in 1984 and is the resident computer expert. He holds the position of Band Manager and has disclosed to us that his main ambition is to retire (but we know that he has many years left in him yet)...oh, the pressures of being an Executive Committee member!!

Principal Solo Cornet John Gill

John has been with Fishburn Band since 1982 and has sat Principal Cornet since 1990. He commenced playing at school in Hartlepool, aged 14, under the tuition of Russ Nicholson and Bill Buckley. Contesting began with Hartlepool Youth Band, followed by Blackhall Colliery and Head Wrightson Works Band (Middlesbrough Brass). John lists his playing influences as Jim Shepherd and Alan Morrison. John, who is a Building Services Manager for 'Housing Hartlepool', was 'instrumental' in the redesign and ultimate refurbishment of the Fishburn Bandroom (following grants from the Lottery and the Foundation for Sports and the Arts). John has been the organiser of the Fishburn Band Fantasy Football League since 1998, although the majority of his spare time is now taken up with maintaining the 'award winning' Fishburn Band website! John is also a founder member of the Fishburn Band 'skinny dipping team', along with Paul Kerry and Clive Parker - consideration is currently being given to the inclusion of photographic evidence on the website! Married to Audrey, who also plays cornet for Fishburn, they have two children, Alison and Kieran.

Assistant Principal Solo Cornet John White

Along with his wife, Andrea, John joined Fishburn Band in February 2001 from Spennymoor Town Band, having previously played for Lockwood and Gawthorpe Bands. John started playing at 6 years of age and tuition over the years has been provided by George Nicklin, Tim Holmes, Brian Tait and Jim Shepherd. Having previously guested with the band on numerous occasions, John has recently moved onto Assistant Principal Cornet and has featured as a soloist with the Band. On joining Fishburn it was an ambition of John's to play in the Royal Albert Hall and compete in the Championship Section....and maybe one day win a contest! We were more than happy to oblige with a marvellous winning performance on "Jazz" at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington on Sunday, 18.03.01. and the subsequent appearance at the RAH.

Solo Cornet Paul Kerry

Paul was first taught to play at the age of 6 by Shildon Salvation Army bandmaster, Fred Smith and was given great support and encouragement by numerous people at the corps, especially his father, George Kerry. Vince Smith (Fred's son) took over the baton when Paul was 10 and became a major influence, as well as being handy for a lift down to Sunbury Court, near London, where the National School of Music (for the Salvation Army) took place each year. On 5 occasions (the fifth time in 1972) Paul was made Principal Cornet of the 'A' band. Paul has happy memories of those days, playing under the baton of the late Leslie Condon and Trevor Davis, also an old chap called Eric Ball (for one day only)! A cornet influence at that time was Jim Shepherd whose old 33's were put to good use as Paul used to play along to solos such as Napoli and Pandora etc (is David Daws even better?). Paul stopped playing altogether in 1978 when he left the Salvation Army but started again in the early 1990's when he began teaching his two sons, Matthew and Ben to play. In 1994 Paul came along to a Fishburn Band concert and met up again with bandmaster, Ian Robinson who invited him along to a practice - and the rest is history! Paul states he feels genuinely privileged to be playing in such a quality band and has just one ambition to realise since starting playing again - to get his lip back to the condition it was when he was a teenager, as well as his body, and his hair.......!!! Another one of Fishburn Band's 'party animals', Paul is also a founder member of the Fishburn Band 'skinny dipping team' (together with Clive Parker and John Gill). Paul now runs his own business repairing and servicing washing machines, driers, dishwashers and many other appliances having spent several years gaining experience with well known dealers. If you want a first class job doing, give Paul a call, or Click here to visit his website. We've heard his rates are very cheap !!!.

Solo Cornet Gavin Probert

It was great to welcome Gavin back to the Band who, after having a brief spell with his former band, Gateshead Brass, had returned to play with Fishburn at the Scottish Open contest. Unfortunately, Gavin has now moved to another area of the country following his successful application to teach at a 6th form college in Somerset. This followed Gavin completing his PhD at Durham University. All the Band wish Gavin well in his new endeavours.

Solo Cornet Judd Down

Judd returned to the Band in June 2004 following his return to the area, having completed his degree in Music at Huddersfield and playing trumpet on a cruise ship.

Judd is an excellent exponent of Jazz and regularly entertains the Band with his ad-lib solo's and his remarkable ability to play 2 instruments at once in harmony. We're sure we can find a slot in an entertainment contest for him to pile the points on!

Judd has currently been called away in his profession as a Trumpet Player aboard a cruise ship and we look forward to his return.

Solo Cornet Tom Soron

Tom recently joined the Band having formerly played for Cockerton Silver Band where he played Flugel Horn. Tom had previously guested with the Band on our new CD 'Aurora'. At present he is 'taking a break' from banding as he pursues his many other interests. We will provide a more extensive profile once he returns to our ranks.

Repiano Cornet Helen Gill

Helen started playing cornet at the age of 9, taught by Colin Adamson at Chopwell Junior School. In 1979 she became a member of NRBBT and in 1981 joined Consett Whitbread Band. From 1985 Helen played Soprano and it was on this instrument that she moved to Lingdale Silver in 1990. In 1996 Helen joined Boldon Colliery band and had spells on both Soprano and Principal Cornet before joining Fishburn Band in 1998 on the front row. Helen is also a member of the Committee - if you see Helen approach you, run for your wallet/purse as she's in charge of collecting band member's subs and she'll be after your cash!

Second Cornet Jo Brown

Jo is one of the newest members of the Band and recently joined in March 2004 having formerly played Flugel Horn for BHK Horden Band. Jo came to the Band prior to the Northern Area Contest in 2004 on First Horn but unfortunately took ill and was hospitalised. She has since contested with the Band at the Grand Shield in Blackpool and has settled in well on Second cornet. Jo began her playing career with Hebdon Bridge Band in 1991 at the age of 9 on Third Cornet. Within 2 years she progressed to Flugel Horn where she stayed until leaving to attend Durham University. During her time at Hebdon Bridge Band, Jo 's highlights were playing at the 1997 National Finals at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, playing at Hyde Park and Regents Park in London, as well as at the Houses of Parliament.

On moving to Durham, Jo joined Gateshead Brass with whom she had the pleasure of winning the North of England First Section Contest in 2002, playing Repiano Cornet for the National Finals appearance.

In 2003, Jo joined BHK Horden Band on Flugel and had a very successful start by helping them to win the North of England First Section before going on to win the National Finals in Dundee.

Jo left BHK Horden at Christmas 2003 to concentrate on her studies, but was lured back into playing with Fishburn where she states that "sitting next to Aud taught me more than many could ever imagine"! Such is their camaraderie, together they co-manage Phoenix Knights in Fishburn Band's Fantasy Football League and although other managers mocked their team selection techniques, ie picking 'pretty boys' at the auction, they have already won the award for Manager(s) of the Month.

Jo was a founding member of the Durham University Brass Band and she is currently the Band's President and Flugel Horn player.

Jo completed her Degree in East Asian studies in June 2004. Still at Durham University, she is now studying for a Masters Degree in European International Studies.

As well as playing for Fishburn, Jo helps out other Bands in the North East and Yorkshire, often playing for her old Band Hebdon Bridge and has also been given the pleasure of being called upon to help Sellers International.

Second Cornet Audrey Gill

Audrey's playing career started with Horden Colliery Band (where her Grandad, Bill Buckley was conductor and her Uncle, Fred Buckley was on Solo Euphonium). After spells with Blackhall Colliery and Head Wrightson Works Band (Middlesbrough Brass) she joined her husband, John, at Fishburn Band in 1988. Highlights include winning the Championship Section of the Northern Area contest in her first year with Fishburn and having the opportunity to compete with the best at the Royal Albert Hall. Audrey was a member of the Committee between 1993 and 2004 and enjoyed the experience of recording the Band's two CD's and working alongside Brian Hillson and his team from B & H Sound Services. Audrey also holds the negatives of that infamous first outing by the Fishburn Band 'skinny dipping team' - what power!

Second Cornet Andrew Nicholson

Andrew joined Fishburn Band in 2000 after many years service with Consett Steelworks Band, Barnard Castle Band and most recently British Steel Teesside Band.

He is fast becoming the Fishburn Bands 'cultural attache' in direct competition with John Youll, due to his quick, and often 'near the knuckle', wit and repartee. Having awaited his personal profile for the last 3 years, due to him allegedly "leaving it on the kitchen table" this is a brave attempt at getting the facts right! Andrew has his own Building Company and is ready and willing to meet all your needs from patching up a wastehole to building you a house, and we've heard his rates are cheap!! Andrew is also Eggleston's unofficial promoter and Resident DJ, often inviting the Band to perform at local functions, which tend to last until late evening at his local pub! There's never a dull moment WHEN Andy's at rehearsals. At this point in time he is once again having another break from playing with the band (come-backs and Frank Sinatra spring to mind), but we look forward to his return.

Third Cornet Andrea White

Andrea, along with husband John, joined Fishburn Band in February 2001 from Spennymoor Town Band. Having started to play at 7 years of age, she initially played euphonium whilst at Ouston Primary School. Later, under the tuition of George Nicklin, Andrea played horn before moving to the cornet. Although formerly on flugel horn at Spennymoor, Andrea is now back on cornet. At a band 70's social night, a shy, retiring Andrea (we were led to believe!) confidently displayed her talent for dancing and her fine sense of rhythm, which was put to good use in our winning performance of "Jazz" at Darlington on 18.03.01!!

Third Cornet/Bb Bass Len Potts

Len started playing cornet at age 13 years with Easington Salvation Army and had a brief spell with Easington Colliery Junior Band before moving to Langley Park. At age 15 he joined Mainsforth and Tursdale Workshop Band (now Ferryhill Town Band) as 'cover' for his father, Jack. However it wasn't too long before Len was the band's Solo Horn. In 1980 Len became a member of Fishburn Band, on 1st Horn, but it wasn't long before he displayed his talent for turning his hand to whatever instrument was required for that particular contest, all for the good of the band - Eb bass, Bb bass, cornet (who can forget Len's contribution on that infamous long-note while on the back row for Land of the Long White Cloud at Whitehaven) and percussion (Len usually saves his percussion playing for the big occasion - 3 x London Finals)!! For many years Len was Secretary of Fishburn Band and has recently been voted back onto the Committee. Len is a hard working and dedicated bandsman and, along with Kevin Franey and Mal Usher, takes on the thankless task of transporting equipment (stands, music, percussion etc) from one venue to another. Len's family are members of Ferryhill Town Band - wife Barbara on cornet, Andrew (son) on soprano and Lisa (daughter) on cornet.

This site is maintained by John and Audrey Gill