Memorial musician in car-wreck shock

POIGNANT trip: band members pose for a picture

A DEDICATED musician who returned from playing at a poignant memorial service found his car had been wrecked.

It was a double blow for tuba player Philip Spencer - the car had been bought as a present by his dying father, three years ago. Dobcross Band Social Club officials have launched an appeal to try and find who damaged the convertible Peugeot 307.

Mr Spencer (56), a member of Dobcross Silver Band, joined them and the Brass Monkeys on a three-day commemoration visit to play the Last Post at the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Mr Spencer, who lives in Normanton, near Wakefield, makes a 70-mile round trip from his home to rehearse and play at the band club on Platt Lane, Dobcross.

He joined the band only three months ago and left his car in the club’s car park while he travelled with colleagues by coach to Belgium.

He said: “It looks like the car will have to be written off. Someone ploughed into the boot, so it won’t actually open.

“Things wouldn’t be so bad if the car hadn’t got such special memories for me. My father Kenneth bought it for me four months before he died.

Band chairman Andy Black said: “Our players were shocked and very upset to hear of the significant damage to Phil’s car.

I’d appeal to anyone with information to contact the Band Club as soon as possible.”




::The touching journey to Belgium by 43 band members and officials included laying a wreath at the shrine to the fallen of the First World War.


Dobcross Silver Band’s visit had been boosted by massive efforts from local people, who had organised fund-raising events towards the trip.

Band chairman Andy Black said: “It was an incredible experience and a proud and poignant moment for the band and Dobcross.”