Hebden Bridge Band

Back row cornets

Colleen Smail - Soprano cornet

Started her playing days on Bb cornet with Hammonds Juniors, later to become Hammonds Sauce Band 'B'. Moved up the ranks and became principal cornet. In 1977 the band became 4th section National Champions. A change in name to the Hawley Band saw Colleen move onto Soprano and she progressed with the band to the Championship Section.
She has played with Girls of Brass and The Young Ambassadors and has been with Hebden Bridge since 2003 with husband Les (cornet). They live in Shipley with daughter Lucy and son James.

Diane Gardner - Repiano cornet

Di started playing cornet at age 16 with South Midlands Welfare Band (now Leics Co-op Snibston Charnwood Brass!). Moved to Carlton Silver Band, which became Nottingham City Transport Band. Married Steve (solo horn) in May 1989 and lived in Melton Mowbray. Moved to Yorkshire in Dec 1989 and joined Hebden Bridge in 1991. Now lives in Halifax with Steve and their sons Jack and Sam.

Jack Gardner - 2nd cornet

Jack is the fourth member of the Gardner family to join Hebden Bridge Band. He is also a pianist, currently studying towards his Grade 8. He is a member of the North Halifax Grammar School Concert Band and Orchestra, as well as the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band. Jack has many other interests including playing hockey (as Goalkeeper - mad fool!) for Halifax Hockey Club. He is also sound and lighting technician for Actors Workshop in Halifax and also at his school. He is a member of Lightcliffe scouts and Brighouse Explorers, and is training to be a Young Leader. He has recently completed his Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, and also works part time at Eureka in Halifax.

Jamie Simmonds - 3rd cornet

Jamie grew up in Paignton in Devon and moved to Hebden Bridge when he was fourteen. He started to play the cornet in 1994 when he decided he was getting bored whilst waiting for his son Joe to have a cornet lesson, Joe subsequently gave up but Jamie has enjoyed playing ever since mainly on the back row, but for a brief spell some years ago where he was drafted in to the front row team to assist with the counting of bars rests (our front row aren't very bright!).

3rd cornet - Dominic Wood

From an early age Dom was introduced to playing a brass instrument by his Dad who now plays Eb bass in the band. He achieved his grade 5 last year and is currently studying towards his grade 7. Dom started playing the cornet at 8 years old. He also plays with Queensbury Music Centre Junior Band where he plays principal cornet and plays in the Main Band on 3rd cornet. He is a member of the school dance band at The Grammar School, Hipperholme and is a member of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band which he finds very interesting and rewarding with many opportunities available.

Helen Bostock

Like other younger band members, Helen started her musical career at Wardle High School. After a break at Durham University, Helen came to Hebden Bridge with her friends, and has been a valued member of the horn section since 2002. After a short break to have a baby, she makes a welcome return to play in the cornet section.
She is one of two road runners in the band, allong with Kelly. Preferring concerts to contests, she is not alone in putting performance above competition.