On Monday 26 January 2010, Oughtibridge Brass Band said a final farewell to Dave Needham, Bflat Bass player with the Band, who died on Monday 11 January 2010 aged 74. The band, accompanied by former players and friends, performed hymns and marches in tribute to Dave at his funeral held in Bolsterstone.

Dave was a dedicated bandsman and played with the Band for just short of 60 years, missing rehearsals or events was not an option for him unless really unavoidable. In 2001 he was awarded a medal in recognition of 50 years Service to the Band by the Huddersfield Brass Band Association.

Dave was born in Nether Edge, Sheffield, and spent most of his life living in Stocksbridge where he worked in the steelworks for “Sammy Fox’s”, later British Steel, until his retirement. He was a proud man, who served his National Service 1953 to 56 with the Coldstream Guards, and he spoke many times of his military service.

He was an inspiration to many young bandsmen and in many ways larger than life. His sense of humour came to the fore on the many coach trips made with the band. He has provided fond memories especially on our Band Contest Finals trips to the Royal Albert Hall and to Torquay. He often spoke about his beloved late wife Wendy, particularly on some of these trips.

He was a devoted bandsman who will be sorely missed both for his playing and for his dry sense of humour by both Oughtibridge members and Brass Band players across the region, many of whom knew him affectionately as ‘Big Dave’.

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