This summer Swinton and District Excelsior Band were delighted to welcome Bob Stradling as their new MD. Bob has settled in well and has started working with the band to develop and strengthen their skills. He is keen to help develop all levels of the band by encouraging whole organisation events.

Bob grew up in Usk, South Wales. His first cornet teacher was his father, Jack, who founded the Usk Band which still thrives today. Bob progressed to principal cornet of first division Cwmbran Band at 14 and later played with the National Youth Band and London Collegiate Brass.

Following a spell as principal cornet with the Hanwell Band, Bob played mainly soprano cornet with Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry), Kibworth, GUS and Redbridge bands. Bob has played at the British Open 3 times, the Albert Hall 7 times and has been featured as a soloist both on radio and in the recording studio.

He later played tenor horn and euphonium at first division level. In 2011 he took up conducting, taking Daventry Brass to Midlands regional championship wins and promotion from the fourth to second division. In 2022, Bob moved to North Yorkshire.