HELLESDON & SPROWSTON BRASS

                                     of Norwich in the County of Norfolk

Tim Coombs

Tim plays Eb Bass

Tim started playing the trumpet at the age 15, and joined the Kings Lynn Town Band at the age of 23. He also passed his grade 8 exam in 1977.

As part of a civic anniversary Kings Lynn Town Band played Handel’s Royal Fireworks music on Purfleet Quay. Meanwhile a firework display was set off from a barge moored on the river Ouse.

Alan Kirkham

Alan has recently joined us at Hellesdon and Sprowston on Eb Bass.

Alex Bishop

Alex also plays Eb Bass in the band

Martin Hill

Martin has recently moved from being our Principal Horn to playing Bb Bass. We wish him all the best! In addition Martin is the bands secretary.

Martin is 42 years old with a wonderful wife and 2 children, Jenna and Ethan. He is also a very proud grandad to a gorgeous little girl Leah. Since the age of 18 has been employed by Royal Mail, and after a few years of delivering and driving he worked mainly in the Mail Centre. For the past 10 years he has worked permanent nights and have been the Night Shift union Rep for the past 4 years.

Martin was first encouraged and taught to play the Tenor Horn by his Uncle, who has played for different local bands through the years. He was 10 years old when he started and was fortunate to have lessons through his School when he reached Heartsease comprehensive. During this time Martin played for Sprowston Brass Band (one of the forerunners to this band), and through the ages of 12 to 16 he managed to pass levels 3,4,5 and grade 5 theory.

Leaving school was also the point where Martin left the band as well and when his thoughts changed to other teenage things rather than brass band!

At the age of 21 Martin briefly played for the Royal British Legion, but after that family and family life took over. He then had a break for 18 years and finally took up the Tenor Horn again 3 years ago for this band now wishing I hadn’t had that break realising how much enjoyment he gets from it.

   Martins most memorable brass banding moment he says;

 "wasn’t actually about playing, but more about the social aspect of playing in a brass band. I was 15 and was travelling back from a concert in his Uncle’s car with another band member, the third member was a lovely old gentleman called Wally, a true bandsmen and a man who enjoyed the odd pint. It was decided to stop off at a pub on the outskirts of the city to finish the night off and obviously I wasn’t old enough to drink so expected a shandy or something. Wally ordered the pints and handed one to me (a full pint of Bitter), and as I was supping it down Wally called the landlord over and expressed to him how well I could drink for a 15 year old!! The Landlord’s face was a picture, and the fact of having to be 18 hadn't entered Wally’s head, Cheers Wally"

Alec Digby

Alec plays Bb Bass