Karl Price
Eb Bass

I started playing the Euphonium aged 11 with Flixton Silver where my elder brother was playing Ev bass. I stayed there for about 7 or 8 years ending up on Solo Euphonium before moving to Urmston & Davyhulme/Trafford where I first experienced playing a ass.

In 1988 I married my wife Gilli who unfortunately cannot stand the sound of a Brass Band and shortly after I gave up banding and didn't play for 16 years.

We have 3 children who are all musical, my son plays Tenor Horn with Eccles Borough, my eldest daughter Euphonium with Sale Brass and my youngest Saxophone/Piano - something went wrong there I think?!

They were my route back into the banding world and in 2004 I joined Sale Brass on Euphonium, where for my sins I also ended up as Concert Secretary and most recently Bandmaster.

Alongside playing Euph at Sale I have over the last couple of years also regularly helped out at Eccles Borough on BbBass.

I am now looking forward to taking my playing to the next level on Eb Bass and want to thank the band for making me feel so welcome.

Memorable moments - retaining the 4th section title at Butlins with Eccles Jan 2009
- competing in the finals at Harrogate this year - again with Eccles


Jimmy Tew
Eb Bass

Started playing Eb Bass at the age of 11 with Heywood Old Band, who in 1961 reached the National Finals 4th Section. The final was won by Poynton Brass (as the band was then known). Went on to Walkden Band under the direction of Ernie Vint.

Joined Wingates Temperance Band in 1970. The band winning two North West Area contests, the National in 1971 and the British Open in 1975.

In 1977 joined The Rochdale Band under the direction of Norman Ashcroft, the well known principal cornet player with the Fairey Band.

Had a 13-year lay-off. Returned to banding with Burnley Alliance. For 10 years was a member of Blackburn and Darwen Band.

Looking forward to playing with a great team and a super MD. Jimmy joined the band in October 2006.

Favourite Test Pieces: Pageantry and Journey Into Freedom.



Dale Hitchen
Bb Bass

Started playing brass at about 9 years old. I played a Bugle in Emanuel Church Lads Brigade Chadderton. When I started secondary school a friend talked me into going to the Brass band with him. I was given a EEb tuba but after a month of lugging the thing around, on and of buses (Mum & Dad don't drive) changed to cornet.

When at Dobcross Band one of the tuba players had a stroke 2 weeks before a contest, I offered to go on tuba, been there ever since. Should have stayed on Tuba at school (I was a rubbish cornet player).

Bands played for 1977 ~ 2001
Newton Heath Boys; Failsworth; Dobcross; Delph; Boarshurst; Moston & Beswick; Eccles; Trafford; British Aerospace; Poynton; Yorkshire CoOp; Cobden & Chadwick; United North West CoOp Rochdale; Marple & Yorkshire Imperials (the Imps)

After a 6 year break due to illness, now back playing and really enjoying playing music at a high standard again. As well as Tuba I play and teach Bass guitar, 6 string guitar & rock band skills

Favorite Test Piece: Resurgam & Journey into Freedom

Non test piece favorites: Anything with a thought out bass part (not just 2 notes per bar)


Gary Beswick
Bb Bass

Born in Gorton Manchester, played Bb Bass with Hough School Band, Wilmslow, from age 11 to 17, also played for a short time at Gorton and Openshaw Brass Band, under conductor Billy Allen. Gave up banding alltogether in 1972.

Many years later after migrating to Australia in 1995, I had an urge to get back into it again so at the ripe old age of 40 I joined Challenge Brass Band in Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia. After two years with them I was invited to join the Western Australian Champions, Midland Brick Brass. After ten years and ten successful defences of our W.A. title, including a second placing for our own choice in the nationals.

Family circumstances in the U.K. saw me and my wife moving back to Macclesfield for the forseeable future, therefore giving me the opportunity to play in the U.K. again and I feel happy to be asked to join VBS Poynton.

Gary joined the band in July 2008.