York RI Golden Rail Band marked a milestone in 2024, celebrating its 40th anniversary as a York brass band.
Golden Rail Band, which came into being in 1984, took on
the name of its sponsor at the time, British Rail’s Golden Rail, which operated
popular all-inclusive holidays by train to UK resorts in the 1970s and 80s from
a base in York.
Prior to taking on the Golden Rail name, it was the training
band for what is now York RI Band (previously York Railway Institute Band). While Golden Rail's relationship with the railways goes back to the 80s, its parent band’s relationship extends even further back, to 1952, following a merger that saw Ebor
Excelsior Silver Band and York City Band allied to York Railway Institute, as most
members were railwaymen at the time.
In 2011, members of the Golden Rail Band launched their own training band, the York RI Development Band, complementing the family of brass bands at the York RI bandroom on Queen Street, adjacent to York Station. Together with Championship Section York RI Band, the three bands give opportunities for players from beginners to experienced to enjoy brass band music.
Conductors past and present
After the arrangement with the British Rail package holidays
company ended, Golden Rail Band retained the name and went on to take part in
brass band contests under the baton of its long-time conductor John Warley
until 1994. A number of different conductors succeeded him, including Huntington
schoolboy Jack Capstaff, who took on the role at just 16 in 2010, earning the
title of Britain’s youngest brass band conductor. Jack was succeeded by older
brother Nicholas Eastwood, who had previously held the title when he began his
conducting career aged 19 with Honley Band in Huddersfield.
Other former Golden Rail conductors include Peter Andrews, funeral
director Kevin Moxon, the RI Band’s James Lolley, and Iain Fell, now of Malton
White Star Band, before trombonist Nicholas took up the baton again as Musical
Director in January 2022. He embraced his return to brass bands with typical verve
and enthusiasm, driven by an ambition for the band to aim higher and do more
innovative programming, and in 2023 he was shortlisted for Brass Bands England
Conductor Award.
Nicholas Eastwood conducting York RI Golden Rail Band and the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir for 'Sounding Brass and Voices' at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, 2023
Celebrations
The band has used the 40th anniversary - named 'GRB 40' - as an opportunity to up its game, performing concerts with partnerships established and new, including York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir, Leeds Male Voice Choir, and Shepherd Concert Brass. We started the year by inviting back some former Golden Rail Band players to join us for a recorded concert for Chapel FM's 'From the Bandroom' series, which we were very proud of. The photo at the top of the page is of all the players that took part - listen to the full concert recording here. We will also have played at some iconic venues in 2024, including the National Centre for Early Music, York Minster, Selby Abbey, and York Barbican.
In memoriam
2024 was, sadly, a year that also saw us lose two beloved band members, Terry Suthers and Hilary Meadley. We played for both their funerals, and miss them them both very much.
40th anniversary concert
The band will play a 40th anniversary concert at the NCEM in York on Friday 1 November. The programme was devised by MD Nicholas Eastwood and includes an environmental-themed
original story for brass band, written by Nicholas, featuring vocalist Rachel Tuckett
and narrated by York actor Paul Joe Osborne. ‘Blackbird’ brings together a
repertoire of popular music including songs by Paul McCartney, Sia, Queen,
Disney’s Hercules and The Cinematic Orchestra. The concert will also mark Golden Rail's railway roots.
Reflecting on Golden Rail Band’s history, Nicholas said: “The band’s 40-year legacy is so rich and colourful. We have had
so many players that have been through this phenomenal organisation and have
gone on to the highest of musical accolades, including other areas of music
like jazz, military and orchestral. It’s a privilege to have contributed to
that vibrant history, both as a player and as musical director – twice!
“I’m looking forward to our anniversary concert, where we can not only celebrate the successes of the past
but look with pride at the band that has evolved, one that encourages grassroots
performance, enthuses audiences, and innovates at a level above its stature."
Golden Rail Memories
We asked some former Golden Rail Band members for their memories. The following are shared by Paul Stamp (Shepherd Brass Band), Sharon Greenfield, Matthew Hardy (still a GRB stalwart!), Katie Wannop (now principal cornet for York RI Band) and Karl Scarboro (Shepherd Brass Band).
Paul Stamp
Teddy Boy At The
Citadel
"I still have vivid memories of my first ever concert
and competition as a young player with the Golden Rail Band. I was around 10
years old when I joined the band in 1987.
"With my dad and sister both being members of the York
Railway Institute band, my grandad “Bill” playing in the Golden Rail, and me
rehearsing with the “Beginner band” on a Monday with Roy Waterhouse, the time
had come for me to take the next step and join the Golden Rail Band.
"John Warley was
the conductor of the band at the time, so I asked him if I could join. I was
offered a seat on the 'Back row cornets'.
"My first ever concert with the band was at the Citadel
on Gillygate in around 1987 (strangely the next time I played here was just
last year in 2023 with Shepherds).
"I remember pulling on the massive green Golden Rail
concert jacket and green tie, and walking into the band room before the
concert, there must have been at least 20 people that told me I look like a
Teddy Boy. I had no idea what they were talking about.
"I sat on the 3rd cornet seat next to my grandad Bill in
the Citadel. I can remember while the band was still playing I had finished my
part and had lots of bars rest so I started reaching for the music to put it
back in the green folder before the end. He stopped me, and that was the first
lesson learned.
"I remember returning home and my dad asking my grandad
how I did. He said I was great, but I needed to learn my sharps and flats. (I’m
still working on that)."
The bandroom
"The Golden Rail band room is amazing, it will be sadly
missed by many when it’s demolished. Its history, intensity and aura are something many
bands long for. You can’t buy that. The photos on the wall of the bandroom of the Golden
Rail band speak volumes.
"If you sit in the back row cornets and look
up above where the bass trombone sits, there is a hook covered in paint on the
ceiling. For years from the 3rd cornet seat I always thought it
looked like a bullet had come through the ceiling. My dad fitted
the now condemned pull string heaters on the ceiling. [Editor's note: they're gone now!]
"The generations that have come through the Golden Rail band room and emerged as excellent players and friends to this day is quite astonishing."
The legendary York RI bandroom, with Golden Rail Band doing a recording for Chapel FM's 'From the Bandroom'
Peter Duck
"A lot of young players sat next to 'Pete' at the Golden
Rail rehearsals. At a young age I always thought it was great that an adult had
such a sense of fun and enthusiasm, I wished my teachers were like him as I was
at primary school at the time.
"Pete always had something to say when he saw you, “Ah
the man with the blue shoes” or just anything to make you think. I remember him
parking his motorbike outside and him looking forward to a pint in the RI bar
after rehearsal. A true “bander” and I can’t think of the Golden Rail
without Pete appearing in my mind's eye."
Peter Duck features in a film made in 2010 by Paul Richardson to promote the first Brassed On York festival
Four Fours For Brass (My Golden Rail
Contest):
"My first “Area” contest was with the Golden Rail band. We played a piece that, if I remember correctly, was
called Four Fours for Brass (maybe it’s still in the library?). It was four movements in 4/4 time.
"If memory serves me correctly this was in the Dolphin
Centre at Darlington in the 4th section. On the day of the contest we rehearsed upstairs near
the contest venue in a building owned by the railway, it had a really steep
staircase. I remember our conductor John Warley working really
hard on the piece with the band, and Sharon Caddy playing principal cornet. This
was also my first trip on a band bus going out for the whole day!
"I also remember waiting for the competition results in
the hall, we weren’t announced in the top 3 prize winning bands. To this day I still do not know where we placed. As
always, I really wanted my band to win."
Engagements
"Every weekend we seemed to have an engagement from
private functions to race meetings, remembrance services and garden parties - the
variety was endless.
"The set list included pieces such as” Adios” and “The
Lincolnshire Poacher” where to this day I still struggle with funky part in the
middle. Clog Dance was a particular favourite - I remember hearing the tubas play
the intro, and I remember getting completely lost in the pages of Hootenanny in
Parliament Street.
"Mostly I
remember the people of the Golden Rail band, particularly the 'grown ups' such
as John Scarboro, who would take me to concerts in his car, my grandad “Bill
“giving me a copy of “The Soloists Companion” with all the air varie solos in I
still can’t play, and Pat Kissane, who played with the band into his 80s. A lovely man."
GRB then and now
"While I’m referred to nowadays as a “Shepherds Player”, which is an organisation I’m incredibly proud and grateful to be involved with,
I often remind people that I learned to play at the Railway Institute beginners
band and was a member of the Golden Rail band for many years doing hundreds of
engagements. It’s certainly not something I will ever forget.
Paul Stamp, who plays for Championship Section Shepherd Brass Band in York
"It’s great to see the band back in a strong position
performing regularly and well organised by the committee and musical director
Nick Eastwood. The recent highlight being York Rocks Christmas Against Cancer
where the band sounded and looked terrific.
"It’s also been great to see the Golden Rail Band and
York Railway Institute Band share the stage at concerts and support one
another. With Nick Eastwood and Dr David Lancaster collaborating
between the two bands I think the future of both bands will see some exciting
times and, hopefully, for the Golden Rail Band, it can offer the experiences I
gained as a young player to many generations in the future.
"I will add my favourite-ever quote from inside the
bandroom: “Don't play it like that! Someone might be
listening” (Barry Thomson to front row
cornets).
"All the very best for the next 40 years. Make a great
sound and enjoy the celebrations, they are certainly well deserved."
York RI Golden Rail Band, playing for York Rocks Christmas Against Cancer at York Barbican, 2023
Sharon Greenfield
"My story starts in 1979, a 5-year old wanting to become a
Solo Cornet player. I joined the Railway Institute, they had three bands the
Beginners, Training and Seniors, which contested at 1st
Section/Championship level.
"In 1982, after progressing through the Beginners Band, I
joined the Training Band under the baton of John Warley. In 1984 the band
became York Railway Institute Golden Rail Band. I was very much a part of
that band family. There were a number of kids all of a similar age that
grew up in this band together. We had a number of, dare I say, mature
players/members that kept a good eye on us kids and I considered them my
banding uncles. John Scarboro’, Pete Duck, Billy Stamp just to name a
few. I have some wonderful memories of my time with the band. Lots
of engagements as I remember this band to be a busy one, the majority of the
year there would be an engagement every weekend.
Photos of a young Sharon Greenfield are still up in the bandroom - she grew up soloing for the band.
Cricket on the beach
"Often when we had one of our engagements over on the coast,
there would always follow on a game of cricket on the beach after we had
finished playing. The jobs we had when we were lucky enough to be served
afternoon teas and we got to socialise with everyone. However, you had to be
quick and not talk too much as the speed at which this all would be consumed
was impressive!
Easingwold fete and march contest
"Easingwold fete was a fun day, we would play on the
bandstand in the park whilst there were stalls and various events taking
place. They held races for the kids and even invited us band kids to join
in. John Warley made notes of the different category of race taking place
and would nominate one us to enter. Unfortunately for the local kids us
banders proved a little too fast and fit and we won most of the races.
Needless to say that the following year we did not got the same invite.
"There was also the March contest that took place there every
year, lots of bands used to enter and the atmosphere was just wonderful.
The Railway Institute bands were a force to be reckoned with when it came to
deportment, as we used to be drilled by an ex-serviceman who had us looking
just like the military. His typical comment when drilling was to shout to us if
anyone was not quite matching up, ‘You sloppy man’. He was a lovely chap
really, but when drilling us, you knew your place.
Work and play
"We had fantastic support from the friends of the Golden
Rail, mainly made up of wives/husbands and parents of the playing
members. Jumble sales, cake stalls along with other social events were
organised to help raise money for the band on top of the many engagements the
band attended. Looking back we all were really hard working to ensure the
success and continued running of the band. I remember that we were able
to have some band breaks away to Llandudno, they were fantastic times and
memories I will never forget. The antics that went on during our weekend
there - well, there are so many to recall, I could write a book just on those
alone.
Brass band family
"As I grew older and my banding career went off in a
different direction, I remember with much fondness my days with the Golden Rail
Band. Even though my life took me to a different part of the county I
will never forget my roots and where my brass banding was nurtured. I
still even today when I get to visit home still feel part of the Railway
Institute Family."
Sharon Greenfield soloing with the York Railway Institute Training Band, the forerunner to Golden Rail. Other players are: back row - Matthew Hardy, Steve Greenfield, Chris Clements, Alan Swan, John Scarboro, Jonathan Clements. Front row: Wendy Scarboro, Ian Chalk. Horns: Pat Kissane, Anthony Stevens
Matthew Hardy
Band beginnings
When the Golden Rail Band started in 1984 I was 14 or 15
years old. I had been a member of the band since I was 5, starting in the
beginners band on a Monday night at first before moving up into the York RI
Training Band, as it was then known, just before I turned 6.
After a few years in the Rowntree Mackintosh Band I returned
to the Training Band in 1982 to find a well-attended thriving ensemble with a
lot of families involved. There were a good many children around my age in the
band and it was a wonderful social environment for us all. Band practice was
630pm-8pm every Tuesday and Thursday and many of us would go to the RI bar
afterwards. While our parents chatted, we’d play on the arcade machines or
gather round the dart board whilst drinking Coke and eating crisps. Fantastic
times.
It will have been around this time that the conversation at
the adult table centred on becoming a band in our own right, not just a
training band to feed the RI ‘senior’ band.
The committee sought sponsorship and found it via an arm of
British Rail called ‘Golden Rail Holidays’. And thus the York RI Training Band
became the York RI Golden Rail Band. Golden Rail Holidays didn’t last long at
all but the York RI Golden Rail Band is still alive and kicking forty years on.
Peter Duck (left) and a young Matthew Hardy, who still plays for Golden Rail
Family tradition
When I left in 1987 after my A levels, my dad, Peter Duck (who’d started
in the band at the same time as me, taking me to rehearsals on the back of his
motorbike), carried on. It had become his life, his social life, his family.
I got back in to banding around the year 2000 and rejoined
Golden Rail in 2007, mainly to spend more time with my dad. He passed away in
2014 and I’ve stayed with the band ever since.
Brass bands are amazing institutions. They give players from
all walks of life, of all ages and of all standards an outlet to be part of a
team, part of something special, part of a family.
Katie Wannop
Left to right: Pat Kissane, Edna Eastwood, Les Johnson, and Katie Wannop
"Golden Rail band was the first band I joined and the
place I found my love for brass banding. I have now been playing in bands for
15 years and play in the Championship section, and that's in a big way thanks
to the people in the Golden Rail band, who were (and still are!) so supportive
and welcoming and who create an amazing space to play music together.
"One of my fondest memories of Golden Rail is from the
Brassed On festival, which is the event that got me into banding in the first
place in 2010! It was a great community event to be involved in and was
organised by members of the Golden Rail band. Players from the Grimethorpe
Colliery Band were also invited along to do workshops and they were fantastic
and so inspiring. I was down at a Golden Rail rehearsal a couple of weeks later
and loved every minute of being part of such a friendly and welcoming band!"
Karl Scarboro
Last word from Karl Scarboro, another member of the original Golden Rail cohort. He sent this photo of the massive and youthful line up of players, taken, fittingly, at the National Railway Museum in York some time between 1984-1986. He doesn't remember the occasion for this posed photo precisely, but says "maybe we were just showing off our new sweaters"!
The caption is from Karl's memory, and in his words: "OK - here goes ... back row left to right: Andy Lickly, front row cornet; Antony Stevens, horn; Daryl Raynor, bass; Chris Clements, flugelhorn; John Scarboro, bass; Pete Duck, legend; George? bass; Andrea (Topsy) Baxter, bass; John Warley, conductor; Stan Byrne, bass; David Chaundy, euphonium; Karl Scarboro, baritone!; Alan Swann, repiano; Dean Raynor, back row cornet; Ian Chalk, front row cornet; Paul Bedford, solo trombone; horn player?; Pat Kissane, horn; Arthur Lupton, bass. Front row left to right: Heather Bruce, horn; Bill Stamp, bass; David Parrot, percussion; Wendy Scarboro - now Sherry - principal cornet; Matthew Duck
Hardy, Sop; Sharon Holliday, horn; ? Stevens, back row cornet; Chris Turnbull, percussion; David Calpin, bass; ? Cornet; Paul Shelbourn, trombone; Matthew Bedford, baritone; Michael Bedford, euphonium; Rob? Trombone; ? Clements, back row cornet; Aiden Bedford, trombone; Steve Greenfield, back row cornet; Sharon Greenfield, back row cornet."