Tributes have been paid to a prominent figure in local bands.
Kenneth Billington was the former treasurer of Elland Silver Band. He passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday May 13, aged 92.
He leaves a son, daughter, five grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Mr Billington began playing as a young boy with the Elland Salvation Army band, following in the footsteps of his father Edgar Billington .
Ken followed Edgar to Brighouse and Rastrick, not as a player but working on the committee where his job was to run the penny raffle. He later became secretary of the Elland Christian Evangelical Fellowship Alliance youth band working alongside Musical Director the late Walter Beevers.
His role was not just as secretary, he also helped to start many a young player on their way to a musical career. One was Stuart Watts who was to become Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Watts, Principal Director of Music (Army), Royal Military School of Music and Musical Director of the Welsh Guards.
In 1983 his granddaughter Samantha began her musical life with the Elland Silver Band. Shortly after her joining he was asked to attend a meeting along with his daughter Kathleen as the committee wanted to fold the band.
Due to the band’s long history and family connections, father and daughter offered to take on the roles of Treasurer and Secretary – a position held for over 32 years.
Highlights of his long career with the band have been to see the youth sections develop and he took great pride in all their achievements.
In 2010 the band was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups and he met the Queen twice.
Mr Billington’s funeral takes place on Thursday, May 28, at 1.30pm, at All Saints Church, Savile Road, Elland. Family flowers only but donations in lieu of flowers to Elland Silver Band c/o Charles Wood Undertakers, St John’s Chapel of Rest, Bramston Street, Brighouse, HD6 3AA.
