Richard Ward sent me these pictures. They show his father Richard and also a friend of his who played in the Wheatley Hill Championship Band. Richard(Sr) was born in Shotton in 1911 to Matthew and Margaret Ward. He died in 1998. He was injured in the mines (could have been Wheatley Hill). Richard is not sure since his father also worked at Shotton Colliery as did his brothers. Richard has a gold medal from his father which is inscribed "WINNER NEWC/LE CONTESTS 1929 R.W."   which Richard assumes was as a result of playing with the W/Hill Band. He married Violet Dammery from Coxhoe Village in 1937. About that time he was approached by Luton Town Band to play for them and consequently moved south to Bedfordshire. The outbreak of WW II put paid to his musical career. Richard also sent me a copy of the musical program for the band to raise money for their trip to the Crystal Palace Competition at that time.