The Pollard
Family of Knottingley has provided the towns Silver Prize Band with
officials and players for more than 80 years, and it came as a severe blow
to the band last week when Mr. Tom Pollard, a member for half-a-century,
had to retire owing to ill health.
Mr. Pollard
who is 60 followed in his father’s footsteps as a bandsman by joining
the Knottingley band at the age of 10. At that time he played tenor horn,
when he retired his instrument was double bass. His uncle Mr. Jim Pollard
played in the band and his brother Joe is a former bands-master but the
family connection with the band has not been severed completely with Mr.
Pollard's retirement for his son, Brian, is the present band-master.
Mr. Pollard,
who lives at Vale Head Grove, Knottingley, was caretaker of the old
bandroom in Aire Street, before the band moved to headquarters at the old
Conservative Club. He says his most vivid memories of his career with the
band are of the bands visits to old Crystal Palace, which was the ‘Mecca’
of bandsmen everywhere before the building was destroyed by fire.
"We had
a fair amount of success down there," he said, "but apart from
that it was the thrill of competing in National contests against the cream
of the countries bands."
In
recognition of his services to the band, Mr. Pollard received a gold
plated combined cigarette case and lighter from President, Mr. W.V. Gregg.
Of Mr.
Pollard, the bands secretary, Mr. George W. Hodgson says, "Tom was
the solid no-nonsense type of bandsman. He was ever dependable both as a
player and a worker. It is hoped that he will be able to attend some
rehearsals if only as a knowledgeable critic."
