We are immensely proud of our Principal cornet player Ian Lanceley winning the John Williams Trophy for the Best Instrumentalist of the Day. Also, our Musical Director Mike West, was awarded the Arthur Copcutt Memorial Trophy in recognition of all his hard work and being the Conductor of the winning band. Winning the 3rd Section Title culminated in a triple win on the day.
Ian has played with a number of bands, dance bands, and orchestras – including helping to start the Formby Band in 1976. Along the way Ian qualified as a physics teacher and began to educate the country’s youth on Merseyside in 1978.
Howard Snell asked Ian to play for the famous Fodens Band in the late 1970s and as a result, he has also played as with a number of other top bands around the country. A serious car accident in early 1983 prevented Ian from playing for over a year and a career move to Kent followed later that summer. Shortly afterward Ian began playing again and he has since played with several bands of all sections around the South East
In 1986 Ian picked up the baton as the conductor of the Cranbrook Town Band. He is married to Siân and they have 2 grown-up daughters.
The Band are extremely grateful to have lan as its Principal Cornet player and long may that continue.
Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band 