Clive Marshall

Clive was a member of York RI Band for over 60 years and for much of that time led the trombone section with distinction. He served as Chairman of the York Railway Institute Band Section, which comprises York RI, York RI Golden Rail and York RI Development Bands, for many decades and in this role led the organisation with wisdom, good humour and kindness. Probably Clive's key achievement for the Band Section was to establish the York RI Training Band in the 1960s, which was later to evolve into the York RI Golden Rail Band.

During his playing days, Clive was an accomplished soloist and featured in many concerts, notably playing the Gordon Langford 'Rhapsody for Trombone' which so suited his relaxed, big band style. He was also a pioneer in the 1960's with York RI being one of the first bands to have a Master of Ceremonies or compere who would tell stories, jokes and even sing songs to make the traditional and sometimes staid brass band concert more engaging to a wider audience. Clive relished this role as it allowed him to combine his musical talent with his incredible story telling and masterful comedic timing to entertain.

As well as being a consummate bandsman for York RI Band and servant to the Band Section as a whole, Clive enjoyed a very busy life outside of banding through his other interests and passions. He played and sang in many of York's leading dance bands in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a member of York Opera for over 50 years and both sang in and directed many productions. As well as his musical interests, Clive was a keen sportsman, playing hockey well into his 70s for City of York Hockey Club and was also a keen runner, completing the Great North Run on a number of occasions.

York RI Band Manager Martyn Groves-Williams said "Clive was a truly remarkable, talented and generous man who thankfully lived a long and joyous life. His memory will be cherished by all of us who were lucky enough to be part of his banding life and we shall all miss him dearly."

Ian Bruce

York Railway Institute Band is deeply saddened at the the passing of its Honorary President, Ian Bruce, on the 13th December 2022.

Ian hailed from one of York's most famous brass banding families, the Bruces. His grandfather, Noah Bruce, had founded the Chaucer Street Mission Band in 1883 and when Ian, at the age of eleven, took up banding in 1946, he joined his father and his uncles in what had become York Home Guard Band. That name soon changed to Ebor Excelsior Brass Band, and Ian became a permanent member as an Eb Bass player.

By 1952, the Band had become the York Railway Institute Band. Such was the influence and indeed the numbers of family members involved in the Band, that it very quickly earned the unofficial title of the 'Bruces Band'.

Ian quickly established himself as one of the finest up and coming bass players of his generation, benefiting from rock solid technique and a lyrical almost euphonium-like singing quality to his playing. Ian featured regularly as a soloist with the Band and it wasn't long before his talents were recognised as he took up an invitation to become an inaugural member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

For 59 years, Ian was a valued playing member of the Band and indeed could be said to be very much its 'beating heart'. But Ian was not only a fine instrumentalist but as an industrious committee man and, for ten years, a most conscientious Secretary, he helped to found the Junior Band which eventually became the Golden Rail Band. Whilst Ian could easily have moved to other arguably more prestigious bands in West Yorkshire, Ian always remained loyal to the RI and cared deeply about it throughout his life.

Clive Marshall, Band Chairman, said: "As a player, band administrator and inspiration to the many young players whose musical lives he touched, Ian's contribution to the Band's success over the decades was immeasurable and York Railway Institute Band will always honour his memory."

Percy Dinsdale

We are sad to announce the death of Percy Dinsdale, a long-serving member of York Railway Institute Band. He died of pneumonia in hospital on 10th January 2022 where he was recovering from a heart attack.

George Dinsdale (referred to by everyone except his wife, Pat, as Percy) was born in August 1933 and took up music as a cornet player at an early age. At the age of 16 Percy was the Principal Solo Cornet with York City Band which was to later amalgamate with York Excelsior Band to form York RI Band in 1952.

Percy began an apprenticeship with British Rail as a Signals and Telegraph Engineer and did two years' National Service in the Royal Air Force. In the late 50s and through the coming decades, Percy was a much sought-after dance band trumpet player in the locality but always maintained his reliable service with York RI Band. He had no wish to be one of the 'star' players in the Band but was happy to be just one of the ensemble. In later years, Percy did less and less playing, but would always turn out if asked; latterly, as ill health affected him, he gave up playing for RI altogether.

Percy was nothing less than a complete gentleman but with an impish sense of humour. He was a great inspiration and mentor to many young players who had the privilege to sit next to him and for all those who remember Percy from his early days and through his long musical life he will be remembered with fondness for his loyalty and good humour.

Dick Sawdon

The Band is very sad to hear the news that former member Dick Sawdon died suddenly earlier today (17th July 2013) aged 61. Dick played BBb in the late 60s through to the 80s and was a very good player who contributed towards much contesting success with R I including a number of appearances at the National Finals in London. We offer our sincere condolences to Dick's family and friends.

Ray Stamp

It is with great sadness that we have received the news that Ray (Ginner) Stamp has passed away. The Stamp family has made a huge contribution to brass banding in York over a number of generations, playing across the RI and Shepherd Group Bands (formerly the Rowntree Band) and Ray's part in this history is celebrated and remembered with affection as a bandsman and friend.

Ray was a gifted cornet player with excellent technique and served with distinction on the front row of York RI Band for a great number of years as well as playing the baritone at the National Finals. Ray worked hard for the Band and was a positive and encouraging influence on new players as they joined, making sure they were welcomed into social activities which often involved games of snooker in the RI bar! Ray had a sunshine-like personality and smile and was a great friend to many past and present players. We can recall very happy memories of Ray on Band tours to Germany, playing at the Durham Miners Gala, a road trip to the European Brass Band Championships in the early 90s, playing the last post for the Armistice Service in Newton-on-Ouse and the social that followed!, visits to the Albert Hall as both competitor and in the audience and of course at the many contests and concerts that Ray played for the Band.

Ray was a genuinely decent and lovely man and we will always remember him with great fondness. The York RI Band sends its sincerest condolences to his wife Angela, his children Lorraine and Geraldine and the wider family. RIP Ray.

Trevor Bousfield

The Band is very sad to announce the death of Trevor Bousfield. Trevor had a long and successful association with the Band as player, conductor and teacher and has left a legacy of fine arrangements. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Joan, sons Ian and Howard, twin brother Brian and to all his family and friends. Read a tribute to Trevor.

Roy Waterhouse 1933 - 2010

It with great sadness that we hear of the death of Roy Waterhouse on Tuesday 23 March. Roy was until the late 80s a long standing playing member of York R I Band and was our renowned Secretary of many years' standing. Roy was also a much valued volunteer with the Yorkshire & Humberside Brass Band Association. There will be many of us in the Band who will remember Roy with real fondness and we send sincere condolences to his family and friends.