Bandsman who helped take Newark to the top dies aged 76

A long-time member of Ransome and Marles Works Band, Chris Mellows, has died after a battle with cancer, aged 76.

Chris, who moved to Chesterfield 21 years ago, died at Ashgate Hospice in the town.

He played cornet with Ransome and Marles for 37 years, from 1965 to 2002.

During his time with the band he travelled extensively and competed in 145 concerts and competitions, including the Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall, British Open Championships at Belle Vue and the European Championships at Montreux, where he ended his playing career.

He also played in live and recorded broadcasts with the BBC and in the film Women In Love.

His first taste of playing in a band was aged 12, playing the cornet with Woodborough Brass Band.

He also played for the South Notts Hussars Brass Band in Bulwell before joining the Ransome and Marles Works Band.

Born in Woodborough, he was educated at Woodborough Woods Found-ation School and Colonel Frank Seely Secondary Modern in Calverton.

After school he worked for a time as an apprentice organ builder with Henry Groves & Son in Nottingham.

In 1962 he signed up as a Territorial Army Bandsman in the South Notts Hussars, also taking on the role as lead fanfare trumpeter at civic and military occasions.

On leaving the Territorial Army, he worked for Ransome and Marles before moving into the building industry, working as a construction manager until his retirement in 2011.

Chris married his late wife, Angela, in 1968 and had three children ­— Anthony, Louise and Claire ­— and they were together until her death 1998.

He was a member of Woodborough Community Association, a founder member of Woodborough Horticultural Society and served as a parish councillor.

He moved to Chesterfield in 2001 to be with Val.

There, he joined Chesterfield Photographic Society and took up other hobbies including walking, cooking, travel and gardening.

His funeral takes place at Chesterfield Crematorium on January 18, at 12.50pm. It is family flowers only, with a request for donations to Ashgate Hospice.

He leaves his partner, Val, children Anthony, Louise and Claire, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.