DES BODDICEDes Boddice, a lifetime member of a Derbyshire brass band whose first performance was in front of royalty died on 18 May, 2009, aged 81.Mr Boddice was also the president of Gresley Colliery Band after joining the group in 1935.The father-of-one was just seven when he performed in public for the first time during a visit by King George V to Church Gresley.Mr Boddice's son, Nigel, also played in the band before going on to study at the Royal College of Music and being awarded an MBE.Nigel, who now lives in Scotland, described his father as an inspiration.He said: "My father always tried to provide me with the things that he never had. He could never take music that far because of things like the cost but he made sure I could."He was an inspiration not only to me but to many youngsters. He gave up his time for free to teach people how to play, which is a rare thing nowadays."Five generations of our family have played in the band and my father started when he was seven when he performed in front of King George V."Mr Boddice, of Church Gresley, died from cancer at Burton's Queen's Hospital.Married to Esme, who died 11 years ago, he worked as a painter at Gresley Colliery before moving to Cadley Hill Colliery, in Swadlincote, where he stayed until he retired during the miners' strike in 1984.In 1996 he was recognised for 65 years of work with the band when he was honoured by the Worshipful Company of Musicians.Band chairman Matt Eames described Mr Boddice as a very talented musician.He said: "Des had a lot of patience and was a great musician. He taught a lot of youngsters how to play – probably enough to have more than three bands that were all of a very high standard."He will be missed by everyone in the band. He was a lovely chap."During Mr Boddice's funeral at Bretby Crematorium, members of the band played one of his favourite pieces – Going Home, from the New World Symphony.Band member Colin Raggett said Mr Boddice played a range of instruments, including the solo cornet, and conducted many of the band's concerts. He said: "He excelled at many behind-the-scenes roles within the band, helping out in many organisational and fund-raising roles."One of his most notable roles was that of band master which he held for many years. His commitment and dedication to the band which he loved remain an inspiration to this day."
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