Brass banding and West Yorkshire go hand in hand.
And a well-known brass bandsman has collated stories from over the years into a book which sold out on its first print run.
David Horsfield has now had more of his A Boy from Brighouse – A Life of Brass Music and other Things re-printed and they are on sale in Brighouse and Huddersfield.
The book also features a CD of his own recordings of the music of Brighouse and Rastrick, Black Dyke Mills, the James Shepherd Versatile Brass and Kings of Brass music.
David, who helps organise the annual Brighouse Lions Festival of Brass contest, is well known in brass banding circles.
A former member of Clifton and Lightcliffe, Brighouse and Rastrick, Black Dyke Band, he’s put into words the contests and his involvement in brass bands over the years.
David, 70, said: “It all started with my family tree and I thought I’d begin to write down all my experiences over the years.
“I’m a bit of a scrapbook maker anyway, so I had plenty of old programmes to help me and it’s amazing how much detail comes back when you start writing.
“But it’s taken me about seven years to get it all out. I’ve enjoyed writing it all down and brass bands are great to be part of. I’ve made so many friends all over and there’s a great local scene.”
David’s initial print run of 150 books sold out almost immediately, so more have been printed.
His book begins with his early life in Rastrick and sets the scene for his route into brass banding, initially with Clifton and Lightcliffe Band.
At the age of 13 he auditioned for the world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band – despite his parents believing he may be too young.
He secured a place as second cornet and his first concert was in Huddersfield at Storthes Hall Hospital.
It was in 1974 David took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the first time, and was thought to be the youngest player in the top section to play at the prestigious venue and was interviewed by the BBC about the experience.
As well as family stories, David also talks about his career as a printer.
Bringing the story up to date, David helps to organise the Brighouse and District charity Festival of Brass, an event which draws a crowd of thousands to Brighouse.
It takes place this year over the weekend of June 28/29 – the week before the Tour de France.
It features 26 bands from Youth to Championship section with a march along Bethel Street to the Town Hall Square where they will perform a hymn tune and contest march.
Marsden Silver will be back defending the title which they captured for the fourth time in 2013.
A concert by the ever-popular Boobs & Brass takes place on Saturday, June 28 at Central Methodist Church.
David’s book A Boy from Brighouse is on sale in the Kingsgate and New Street branch of Waterstones in Huddersfield and the Harrison Lord Gallery on Bradford Road in Brighouse, at Kershaws Garden Centre on Halifax Road in Brighouse and at Kirklees Music, Bradford Road Bailiff Bridge.
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