Andrew started to play the cornet at the age of 8 with the Haverton Hill Silver Band in his native Teesside, being taught by Arthur Morrison, father of ex-Grimethorpe principal cornet, Alan.

At age 13, Andrew joined North Skelton Band who were then North of England Champions on Assistant Principal cornet where he remained for 5 years. At the age of 14 he passed his grade 8 exam and was also accepted as a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain where he eventually completed 10 courses and became Principal Soprano Cornet in the band's 40th anniversary year.

He switched to soprano cornet at 17 (because nobody else wanted to do it!) and after spending several months assisting Ever Ready Band, joined the Brighouse & Rastrick band. Andrew played soprano for B&R for 5 years winning the Yorkshire and All England Masters titles in the process and being regularly featured as a soloist.

After leaving B&R, he had a short spell as Principal Cornet with Ransomes before returning to the soprano cornet chair with Rossington Colliery Band. During his time with Rossington they qualified for the British Open and came runners up to Grimethorpe at the Mineworkers Championships.

Andrew then moved to the south of England and after returning to Brighouse for another 12 month spell in the soprano chair in 2001 joined Aveley and Newham helping them to two London and Southern Counties Championships, Yeovil Entertainment Champions (including being awarded best soloist) and Grand Shield Champions 2006.

In December 2007, Andrew returned north and joined the front row cornet bench of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, becoming Assistant Principal Cornet in January 2009.

Andrew lives near Lincoln with his wife, 6 children, 3 dogs, a cat, 2 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs and a hamster! He works as a Development Consultant for Volkswagen Financial Services UK.

Text from www.grimethorpeband.com