"The finest brass band in London & the Southern Counties"
in association with
(Registered Charity no. 1137290)
Trombones
Solo Trombone
Neil Wharton
Originally from the North East, Neil started on euphonium at school and played for various local brass bands. He enjoyed successful spells with Reg Vardy, Sellers and Hepworth before joining the Royal Air Force in 2002 on euphonium. After filling in on trombone for a period he made the decision to make the move permanently and has not looked back since. Having spent the majority of his career at The Band of the RAF College in Lincolnshire, he was posted to The Band of the RAF Regiment where he’s a trombonist and Drum Major.
In his spare time Neil competes in Olympic weightlifting and was English Masters champion in 2019. He’s also a long suffering Newcastle United fan.
2nd Trombone
Ian Stewart
Bass Trombone
Adam Gregory
Adam started playing at the ripe old age of 8 at Heathcote C of E school, where Adam (being Adam) chose the biggest instrument they had, and so trombone it had to be. With the only Brass Band in the Scouting movement just around the corner, Adam joined his first band, First Ash Vale Scout Band, and when forcibly ejected from the Scouts Adam, at the age of 16, started his relationship with Friary.
At his first Friary rehearsal, at the beginning of 1984, Adam was put on Bass Trombone because he was limited to being able to read Bass Clef only. Since then Adam has been a regular Friary member, with the exception of a one year hiatus when he played for rival band, Alder Valley. After much persuasion (from Alder Valley members!), Adam returned to the band he knew best.
Adam claims that his most embarrassing moment was at Crawley contest when he came in two bars early - everyone in the audience knew it was him! ...or maybe it was when he painted his case bright yellow with Blitz in black on the side ready for a tour of Germany… or maybe it was sleeping under the band bus after a heavy night of drinking… or maybe it was getting up on stage during a contest and telling bad jokes while the audience waited for the results … or maybe it was…the list could go on!
Ian started playing trombone at school. He progressed through the NYBBGB and joined the army at 18. After a spell as a bandsman in 2nd Batallion RGJ, Ian completed the Bandmaster's course at Kneller Hall. His final appointment was as Senior Bandmaster at KH.
As well as playing trombone for Friary, Ian also conducts 2nd Section Band, LGB (Lewes, Glynde and Beddingham Brass). In real life, Ian is a Training Manager for Southern (the train people).