01/09/2023
Death of Trevor Goodison
It is with extreme sadness that we share the news of the sudden death of Trevor Goodison on Thursday 31st August 2023.
Trevor is best described as a ‘Banding Legend’ and is the epitome of that title. He joined what was then the Quaker Sutherland Band in 1976 and has been a stalwart of the Band ever since, racking up some 47 years and being the one constant throughout the band's recent history who rarely missed a single rehearsal or engagement. Trevor learnt to play the cornet in the Salvation Army band, and quickly progressed to join Chapeltown Silver Prize Band and moved to tenor horn, before moving to what is now Unite the Union Brass Band. His dedication was extraordinary.
He held many critical roles within the band, notably he was our Treasurer for over 40 years, but also held less formal roles such as equipment mover, band room opener, lift giver, and band ‘Dad’ to many. He gave up so much time for his beloved Unite and was an active player and committee member until the day we lost him.
Trevor has an extensive number of friends both within the band, and the wider brass banding community, both locally and further afield, who we know all consider themselves very lucky to have had Trevor in their lives. Always having a story to tell about his many adventures whilst playing, he visited many countries on band tours, the latest being a trip to Bochum, Germany in 2018. A trip none of us will ever forget - with Trevor’s Captain Pugwash mobile phone ringtone blearing out at 2am in the morning on the coach coming home – those that were there, know why!
Many of the current members of the band have known Trevor for over 40 years, and John Lee remembered “We've been mates and band colleagues for the best part of 45 years and when I say he was a Legend, I don't think I can stress enough how much that word fits Trev perfectly. I sat next to him for many, many years and I often joked with him that he was the reason I was deaf. Of course, he always denied it. When I joined the band well over 40 years ago, I was always in awe of Trev's playing”.
The band has seen extreme highs during Trevor’s time, notably winning 2nd place the Yorkshire Area Championship Section in 2003 playing Prague and therefore reaching the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October that year, there was also the excitement of an on-screen role in the blockbuster film ‘The Full Monty’ in 1997 – although the hat definitely stopped on for that performance. We know he was always extremely proud to represent the band on every occasion.
In recent times, Trevor had recovered from a very serious infection of Covid during 2021, and only two weeks ago we were able to celebrate this recovery and say thank you to those who cared for him by holding a very special Charity concert. This evening was so special, a packed out house to support and pay tribute to our wonderful Trevor. At the time, we didn’t realise just how special this evening would be. It was our last one together and for those who were there, an evening we will be forever grateful for.
Trevor was one of the most significant band members in our history, and we are devastated at the news, we are together in grief.
All of the Unite Band family send their love and strength to Christine, Richard and their family at this incredibly sad time.
We have set up a Just Giving page in Trevor's memory to raise further funds for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/unitebrassband-trevorgoodison
