New Signings For Brighouse & Rastrick

The Brighouse and Rastrick Band are happy to announce three new additions to the band personal. The first two new recruits are Phillip Tait and Jamie Cooper who recently impressed the band to gain seats on the cornet bench.

Phillip Tait will be replacing Mike Golding on ‘bumper up’, who left the band to further his conducting career with the Pemberton ‘B’ band. It is a delight for the band to see Phillip in that particular seat, as his late father, Bryan Tait, sat in the same seat for 2 years with Brighouse & Rastrick.

Jamie Cooper replaces Joey Williams on repiano after 10 years of service at Grimethorpe Colliery, having helped the band at Brass in Concert and impressing the band’s principal cornet, Dominic Longhurst.

Finally, Steve Malcolm replaces Andy Cattanach on Bb bass. Andy left the band in the middle of the year due to work commitments and to spend more time with the family. He now plays for his more local band, Fodens. Steve joins after a short retirement from bass, having had a recent successful spell in conducting Felling and Bon Accord.

Spokesperson for the band, Ryan Watkins told A4B: “These welcome additions to the band further strengthen the already impressive members we currently have. Having 23 players who performed at last year’s Areas still in the band, we look to further enhance the stability of the band. It is always sad to see members leave, so the band would like to thank Andy, Joey and Mike for their involvement in the band. A special thanks must also be given to Rob Westacott, Leon Renilson and Gary ‘Tiny’ Procter for helping the band throughout the audition process recently at the British Open and National Championships.”