Brass band team pays tribute to chairman

Former Scouthead and Austerlands band contest chairman Paul Ashworth

A SADDLEWORTH Whit Friday Brass Band contest committee is in mourning after the death of their chairman.

Paul Ashworth, father of two, celebrated his 66th birthday the weekend before he died.

And today David Needham, secretary of the Scouthead and Austerlands band contest, said: "The loss of Paul is a devastating blow to his family and to the Scouthead event.

"He had been a mainstay of the contest for many years, first joining the organising committee in 1983. In all he completed 33 years on the Scouthead and Austerlands committee and became its chairman in 1998."

Mr Needham added: "It was a difficult time for all concerned but Paul's family were keen for the contest to continue as they knew it was what he would have wanted.

"And all his family worked throughout the event on Whit-Friday. The Ashworth family were a credit to him. It was a hard time for all of us, but everyone rallied round including the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group."

The funeral will be held on Friday at 11.30am at St Mark's Church, Glodwick.