Alan was born on the 25th of July 1957.
His father Alvin was the secretary and BBb Bass player with Langwith Miners Welfare Band (a very successful 2nd section band) the band that Alan joined on 3rd cornet to follow in his fathers footsteps aged 9.

Alan had lessons with the principle cornet of the band Mr. George Thorpe and after 18 months moved on to Soprano to fill a seat that was left vacant due to the soprano player leaving.

Alan passed his audition and joined the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain aged 12 and played with the NYBB until having to “retire” aged 18, he completed 13 courses with the NYBB and played 2nd Soprano (out of 6) for the first 2 courses and the remaining 11 as the principle Soprano. He also won the internal solo competition (the Pye Award) 2 years running.

Alan joined The Fairey Band in 1972 aged 15 and took over the seat at Fairey left vacant by the great Brian Evans, a seat that Alan occupied for 14 years until his departure to Desford in 1987.

After his short stay with Desford, which was highlighted by the win at the Nationals in October, he moved to Leyland Band which was conducted by Richard Evans at the time , and he stayed with Leyland for 12 years until his move to Fodens in 2000, the band he currently plays with, and is Chairman of the band.

During his 33 year playing career with some of the finest brass bands in the world Alan has been to most European countries either with the bands or as a soloist and also Japan, Korea, America and Hong Kong.

This year (2006) sees Alan undertaking a 3 week solo tour of Japan in June and he still looks forward to “a few” more years of playing to come.