Saturday 10th January 2026
Last Saturday evening, (10th January) the GUS Band held their annual award ceremony. This year for the first time, the awards were announced and presented at a special awards dinner held at the Northampton Saints cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. After a lovely meal, the band chairman David Elliot-Smith gave a few words expressing his gratitude to the players for the commitment shown over the past year and also a special thanks both to the players’ partners and families for their support and to the Northampton Town and Country Club for their continued support and provision of the bandroom for rehearsals.
Following this, the band’s Musical Director, Christopher Bond, announced the awards and prize winners. A new award for 100% Attendance at rehearsals was presented to Rhys Cave, (Flugel) who managed to achieve this even though he makes a 200 mile round trip for every rehearsal. Another new award, Section of the Year as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to the Tuba section, Jen McCausland, David Elliot-Smith, Mark Probert and Johnathan Cooke. The Bandperson of the Year, as voted for by the band for a person who goes above and beyond for the band was presented to Archie Batty, (Assistant Principal Cornet, van driver and uniform manager). A further new award, the Players’ Player of the Year, as voted for by the band was given to Jack Wilson, (Soprano Cornet). The award for Player of the Year, as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to James Screaton, (Principal Cornet) for his outstanding playing contribution to the band over the past year. A special Brass in Concert Award was given to Kirsty Woodhouse for all her help she gave in preparing for the Brass in Concert performance back in November and a presentation was made to Amy and George Bruce, (Third Cornet and Principal Euphonium) in recognition of the effort that they have made over the past year to attend rehearsals with a young family. Finally, three Long Service Awards were presented to Nigel Bramley, (Solo Cornet) Sally Bramley, (Cornet) and Simon Smith, (Horn) for amazingly clocking up over 70 years as players in the band between them. Special thanks was also given to James Harris, (Bass Trombone) for organising such a terrific evening.