Whitburn in double signing ahead of Nationals

Whitburn Band is a family affair for Chris, Ryan and Evelyn Bradley.

THE Whitburn Band has made two signings ahead of its challenge at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Ryan Bradley has signed on percussion while Alan Douglas has joined from Kingdom Brass on second baritone.

Ryan, 16, joins his mum Evelyn (principal baritone) and Chris (principal cornet) in Whitburn. The sixteen-year-old becomes the second player who has developed through the Whitburn Band pathway system to go on to sign with Whitburn, after fellow percussionist Amy Gray, 15, signed in May.

The Whitburn pathway programme was introduced a few years ago by the band to nurture young players. Young performers who play their first notes with Whitburn Wee Band will hopefully progress to Whitburn Youth Band, then Whitburn Heartlands Band, before they eventually play with the main Whitburn Band in competitions like the European Championships and National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ryan, who is also a keen rock musician, made a guest appearance with Whitburn at the European Championships earlier this year. He will make his contest debut as a signed Whitburn player at the National Championships.

Ryan, far right, made a guest appearance with Whitburn at the 2016 European Championships. Image courtesy of Ian Clowes, Goldy Solutions.

He said: “I am very pleased to have joined Whitburn and play in the band with my mum and dad. I can’t wait to play at more major championships like the Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall.”

Ryan’s parents were understatedly delighted. Chris said: “We are very proud of the achievements of Ryan and our daughter Lauren, who is also progressing through the Whitburn Band pathway programme.

"It will be a very special moment for us to take to the stage with our family and our friends in Whitburn Band.”