Surprise Party For Derek
Monday 7th Feb 2005, mid-afternoon
The City of Chester Band’s recently-retired Musical Director Derek Mitchell had the surprise of his life on Saturday night (5 Feb) when he arrived at the Westminster Hotel on City Road for what he thought was just a late Christmas party for members of the Band and their families. As Derek walked into the room he was greeted by a fanfare of cornets along with resounding cheers from 120 well-wishers, all of whom had gathered together to mark Derek’s retirement after 57 years’ loyal service to the Band. After his initial shock Derek scanned the sea of faces and recognised many friends and colleagues, some of whom he hadn’t seen for 25 years or more, including some compatriots from his dance band days when he lead The D7 Sound. Derek spent the rest of the evening reminiscing about musical times gone by and probably shook more hands than the Queen does on a good night! The Band’s archive material had been raided for photos and subsequently put on show in a splendid display for all to see. A little later on in the evening the Chairman of the Band (and Derek’s successor as Musical Director), Phil Mottershead, spoke of the Band’s gratitude to Derek for his lifelong contribution to its success, then presented him with a number of gifts. Also there to honour Derek was David Read, arguably the brass band world’s leading contest adjudicator and a former Solo Champion of Great Britain. David took time out from a busy schedule to travel from Doncaster and pay his own tribute to Derek. David was able to draw many parallels in the way their individual careers had progressed over the years, also commenting that 57 years with one band is a truly exceptional example of loyalty. David finished by presenting Derek with a framed montage of photographs covering almost the entire period of Derek’s musical career. All in all Saturday evening was a remarkable and memorable one and a fitting tribute to someone who has contributed so much to the musical life of Chester and, in particular, the City of Chester Band. Thanks must go to all those who helped to make the event so special and, in particular, to Derek’s wife Thelma, not only for keeping the real purpose of the evening a secret from her husband, but for her unstinting support to Derek over the years. It only remains to wish Derek a long and happy retirement, although I’m sure we’ll continue to see him at the occasional social event!