SCHOLES. With the death of William Scholes the brass band scene has lost a great enthusiast, conductor and adjudicator who loved bands and brass band people.

Born in 1905, his early years were spent in the Salvation Army at Rushden where for 24 years he was the songster leader and for 19 of those years deputy bandmaster.

He studied harmony with George Marshall and later came under the guidance of Frank Wright. In 1945 he gained the LGSM diploma with honours and added the BBCM a year later.

In 1947 'Bill' became MD of Rushden Temperance, a band he quickly took to the top, gaining a creditable fourth place in the 1953 Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall. After 14 years with Rushden there followed many professional appointments with bands like Kibworth and Towcester Studio, lowly bands which he steered to the upper sections. Various others such as Aldbourne, Clydebank Burgh and Deiniolen came under his influence. In 1969 he was awarded the lies Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, followed in 1971 with the Baton of Honour in recognition of his service to bands.