At the Band’s customary annual Awards Night Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Cobham, Friary honoured Roland Knight (trombone) and Duncan Ford (Eb bass), both long-standing players who stepped down in late 2019. Roland was in fact a founder member of Friary in its present form back in 1983, and Duncan joined not very long afterwards.
Band Chairman Nigel Stevens paid tribute to their immense dedication to Friary over such a long period of time, and in recognition of this they were both made Vice Presidents of the Band. They were also both presented with a framed Friary music stand banner, signed by the players.
We will miss Roland and Duncan greatly, and wish them both the very best for the future.