Started aged 22 on Cornet.    Self-taught from a Toasts and Tunes book in a voluntary RAF band in N Wales when serving as a jet-engine engineer.  Appointed solo cornet in a matter of weeks. Luckily found a good tone as a novice, but missed a back-row apprenticeship which adversely influenced reading ability. Later serving at RAF Oakington, the local Somersham Band asked him to lead them contesting. Still with only 6 months experience he only played the lyrical solo passages with fingering pencilled-in, being unable to perform the whole piece!  Subsequently as a principle cornetist, he played melody lines without having to read the dots properly. This proved a handicap at higher contesting levels but even now after 50 years reading is still a problem. For this reason he has not moved into teaching or conducting.    Joined Ellesborough Silver(Bucks) in 1961. Then to Sussex  playing for: Patcham, Hangleton, Uckfield, Handcross and Horsham, on principle cornet or solo euphonium.  Later with: Staines, Alder valley and Hanwell. Usually as Flugel but also solo horn, cornet and trombone.  Finally back at UCB with 4 years solo euphonium, now repiano cornet.  Until January 2008 was also principle cornet at Wadhurst. Retiring from that post due to advancing years and lack of stamina.