Grateful thanks as Phil Goodwin steps in to conduct at 'Area'.

Newstead Brass would like to thank Phil Goodwin for stepping in to conduct the band at the Midlands Championships following Duncan Beckley’s unexpected unavailability due to illness.

Duncan was admitted to hospital less than 48 hours before the Yorkshire regionals, a week before those in the Midlands but tests and medical advice confirmed that, sadly, Duncan would be unable, for the first time in 27 years, to lead Newstead Brass in the Midland Championships. A contingency plan was put in place so that Phil Goodwin, who played EEb Bass in Black Dyke Band's winning performance at the Yorkshire Championships led Newstead’s final preparations on the challenging set test piece 'Cambridge Variations'. The band and Phil worked hard in the time available and were slightly disappointed that a good performance was placed 8th of 12 performances by the judges.

Phil also deputised for Duncan in the Yorkshire area second section championships where he led the band to an excellent 3rd place.,

Mike Allcock, who played with Horbury in 2015 and has recently rejoined Newstead commented, “Both Horbury and Newstead would like to thank Phil for his help over the last two weeks. It’s not a position we would have wanted to be in but Phil’s approach kept the bands calm and focussed to concentrate on their performances. Obviously Duncan was very disappointed that he had to stand down but both bands recognise the immense work that Duncan puts in to their organisations shown by his continuing involvement and planning even when he couldn’t get to rehearsal.”

We would also like to thank the Black Dyke organisation and Delph Band for their understanding and help and wish Duncan a speedy and full recovery. We know the doctors’ advice for a period of rest will be a challenge to Duncan and look forward to seeing him in our bandrooms again very soon.