Band record? (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Band record?

MY father-in-law, Ray Wood, was recently presented with a long service award for his services to Bilsdale Silver Band. Is it some kind of record?

Ray is 81 and has played with the band every year since he was 11 years old. Born in Bilsdale, he grew up and farmed at Hawnby on the North York Moors until his retirement in spring 2003 after the foot-and-mouth brought culling to all of his stock (even though they were not infected).

Due to a bit of wear and tear in the old knees he doesn’t get to play quite as regularly as he once did or as he would like, but he still enjoys the odd blow on the “e flat bass”, especially at the local shows such as Chop Gate, Farndale and Stokesley.

Ray and his wife, Ann, now live at Carlton-in-Cleveland where they both share the work in looking after ponies at the Danwood Stud. In addition to some home-bred young stock the older ponies that they help look after are shown and ridden with some success by Linda (their daughter) and granddaughter Hannah.

Ray prides himself on keeping the paddocks tidy (knees permitting) and always looks forward to his next band session.

Ian Atkinson, Carlton-in-Cleveland.