It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of ex-player, supporter and great friend of the band, Mike Murphy.

Mike came from Somerset in the late 1960s to work at the British Aircraft Corporation Factory at Warton. He first joined the Leyland Motors Band and then played with Freckleton Band before moving to Hoggarths Band in Preston where he was Chairman for while. He moved back to Freckleton Band at the start of 1980s when his friend Denis Wright, formally Euphonium with Hoggarths, was appointed conductor. He played at the 1982, 4th section National Finals with Freckleton in London and subsequently retired from banding when his work meant he had to travel to Hamble. After he retired from work, he continued to support Freckleton Band and regularly came to rehearsals on Thursday nights and often donated wine for the band raffles. Mike travelled to Cheltenham to support the band at the 1st Section National Finals in September 2013 and he will be greatly missed by us all.

Mike (front row, second left) sat next to Tommy James with Dennis Wright and Dick Rossall opposite.

Mike Murphy

On 6th December 2013 in hospital, Mike aged 75 years of Warton. Beloved husband of the late Anne, much loved dad of Christopher and Sally and a dearly loved grandad of Oliver, Alice, William, Joe and Matthew. Mike will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Funeral Service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lytham on Thursday 19th December at 11.45am followed by cremation at Lytham Park Crematorium at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please donations if desired may be sent to Cancer Research UK c/o the Funeral Director, David Pope, Lytham Funeral service Ltd. 42 Clifton Street, Lytham Tel. 01253 733909.