Bill Fern

2nd Trombone

Started playing in 1957, joined Besses of the Barn training band followed my a move to the Boys band in 1960, joined Blackley Band from Besses of the Boys band in 1966, my father, the late Cliff Fern was Chairman of the Blackley band from the mid 1950’s to his early death in 1978.
Played trombone for most of my time, have tried baritone and Eb bass but could not work the values fast enough.
Many pieces of music I like: I like good march which have a good bass solo, also like many of the modern test pieces, many of the old test pieces had very little content for most of the band. Good test piece: Music for a festival also Rhapsody for Brass
Don’t like many of the solo pieces written for brass players, many are not very entertaining to the paying customers, also not keen on the old selections from musicals. Solos should be based published pieces from shows /musicals.

Most enjoyment:
Building our own band room, opened in 1967, had some great parties over the years at the band room

Saddest moment:
Having to leave the bandroom in 1999 due to the local kids causing damage to cars and to the bandroom every Monday and Thursday evening.

Band

Karl Stott

Karl Stott

Musical Director
Jake Gordon

Jake Gordon

Soprano Cornet
Laurie Wood

Laurie Wood

Principal Cornet
Paul Whitehead

Paul Whitehead

Solo Cornet
Tom Chipchase

Tom Chipchase

Solo Cornet
Vacancy

Vacancy

Solo Cornet
Roger Albiston

Roger Albiston

Repiano Cornet
Caitlin Wineyard

Caitlin Wineyard

2nd Cornet
Vacancy

Vacancy

2nd Cornet
Igor Nikitin

Igor Nikitin

3rd Cornet
Pat Barr

Pat Barr

3rd Cornet
Charlotte Ankers

Charlotte Ankers

Flugel Horn
Nicola Stewardson

Nicola Stewardson

First Horn
Matthew Taylor

Matthew Taylor

Euphonium
Mark Tattersall

Mark Tattersall

1st Baritone
John Waterhouse

John Waterhouse

Trombone
Bill Fern

Bill Fern

2nd Trombone
Karen McDowell

Karen McDowell

Bass Trombone
Alex Smith

Alex Smith

Eb Bass
James Moran

James Moran

Eb Bass
Roger Green

Roger Green

Eb Bass
Neil Ashcroft

Neil Ashcroft

Bb Bass