EARLY INFLUENCES

Brian was born in 1934 at Hoyland Common, Barnsley, and, apart from 18 years at Tickhill, Doncaster, he has lived in the Barnsley area.

He was educated at Kirk Balk Secondary Modern School and Barnsley Technical College, achieving success at Higher National Certificate (Electrical Engineering).

Brian played for the school football team and then, in his late teens, joined Birdwell Wheelers, enjoying several years racing with the club.

CAREER

Starting work as an apprenticed electrician with the NCB, he later moved around several  industries (too numerous to mention in any detail), finishing as works electrical engineer with the Coalite Company at Rossington, Doncaster.

DOMESTICALLY

Brian is married to Iris, who shares his love of music and has fully supported his musical interests over the past twenty years. They have a daughter and three grandchildren.

MUSIC

In his mid thirties, Brian joined Tickhill MVC, singing with them for eighteen years before returning to Barnsley. He was then a member of ‘The Margaret Duckworth Singers’ following lessons with the musical director, an internationally known contralto and respected adjudicator. From this period, two solo performances are especially memorable: first, ‘The Rolls Royce Battle of Britain’ concert at the Guildhall, Derby, where he sang the negro spiritual “Carry Me Back to the Green Green Pastures”; and second, “Lord God of Abraham” from “Elijah” which he did in Christchurch Priory, Bournemouth.

Recently, Brian has been invited to solo at his friend’s wedding which is taking place at Wentworth Church, Rotherham.

He has been retired for sixteen years and enjoys every minute of it. It was a difficult decision joining New Mill MVC, as he was already a member of a mixed choir who rehearsed on the same evening. After taking part in three rehearsals, he decided that male voice singing was his first love and New Mill would fulfil this. He has been in the choir for about three months and is enjoying every moment.