Sheila Walton, a long time member of Whaley Bridge Brass band and treasurer of the Rose Queen Carnival committee, is our new citizen of the year.  She was presented with the town council’s annual Community Award by chairman Jon Goldfinch.

Say it with flowers: Sheila receives award from chairman Jon Goldfinch

Sheila arrived a little breathless for the presentation, having just completed a session with the learner band, where she is conductor.  The learner band scheme, introduced in recent years, has been a great success, bringing  several youngsters through to the main band as well as providing a valuable experience.

Only two days after receiving the award, Sheila was officiating at a youth band event at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Sheila has been a member of the band for nearly 40 years.  She plays flugel horn, alongside fellow family players , daughter Lorraine and husband Laurie (they married in 1966.).  Another daughter Louise, now living in Harrogate, is a former player with Whaley Bridge band.

Sheila is chair of the band committee, as well as being librarian, which includes responsibility for all sheet music as well as the band’s history.  Daughter Lorraine is the contact on the website for band bookings.

As if all the band work was not enough, Sheila has been on a member of the Rose Queen committee for 33 years, most of that time as treasurer.