PRESENTATION TO BILL SPARKES
12TH MARCH 2010


 


At the AGM a very special event took place when the band presented Bill Sparkes with a commemorative model of a trombone made in glass and contained in a bottle.

The presentation was to acknowledge Bill's contribution to the original formation of the band in 1960 and to thank him for his long loyal service to the band which ended in 2009 when Bill put his trombone in its case for the last time at the age of 89.
Bill's story goes all the way back to 1930.
The son of a trombone player he was born in 1920 in Dinglewell, just down the road from where he now lives. He bought his first trombone in 1930 for 2½d (6p). Coincidentally the man from whom he bought the trombone later became the father-in-law of our present drummer!
The trombone had been kept hanging on a nail on the wall of the owner's cottage and consequently it was covered in whitewash. Bill cleaned this off with wire wool!


He was taught to play by his father, who played with the 5th Gloucestershire Regiment, and his brother George. He must have been a good pupil as at the age of ten he joined the Gloucester City Band. After that he played with the 5th Gloucestershire Regiment Band until they were disbanded when he joined the Royal Gloucestershire Hussar Band. With this band he played at the opening of the Severn Bridge in the presence of H.M. The Queen.


In 1956 he was part of the Sparkenhams with his brother George, Pete Hopkins, Ossie Adams and Morris Hawken, four players and the conductor Ossie. The name Spakenhams is a combination of all there names. The quartet were very successful winning many cups and plaques, so much so that in the end the band organisers found a way to ensure they did not compete again. Hence the formation of the Excelsior Band.

With his brother George playing first trombone Bill played second in a dance band appearing regularly at the Gloucester Guild Hall and in Cirencester.
Bill's family are all brass players. His eldest son Roy played for Fodens and Faireys and later conducted Crewe Co-op Band at championship level. Whilst Roy has now retired from playing and conducting he continues as an adjudicator and his own son Jef has followed in his footsteps and now conducts Crewe Co-op.

At one time twelve of the Sparkes family were playing in brass bands although at present that number has dropped to six. Bill's feat of playing until he was 89 has been eclipsed by his sister-in-law Elaine who is still playing cornet with a small church band at the age of 93.


Bill was a Fitter/Turner working for such companies as Sisson Engineering, Dowty and Serkes from whom he retired.
His passion in life, apart from the trombone, was making model traction engines. These he took to fairs and shows around the West.

Bill has not given up music entirely, and is currently learning to play the ukulele.

Thank you Bill Sparkes, the Gloucester Excelsior Band owes you a debt of gratitude.