Cornet Section

Richard Hughes – Principal Cornet

Richard Hughes joined Aldbourne Band back in 1991 on second cornet. A big step up at the tender age of 14 from fourth section Ramsbury Band

His first contest with the band was at Reading Contest at the Hexagon where the Band won on “Year of the Dragon” with Dave Whitson. Since then Richard has spent time navigating the cornet section, with stints on Second Cornet, Repiano, Soprano, Front Row and Principal Cornet where he currently plays.

Neil Allen

Neil started playing the cornet at the tender age of 8 having lessons in school with Dave Thomas. Throughout school, Neil played for the school wind band playing at concerts, national competitions and went on 3 European tours.

Neil’s first experience of playing for a brass band wasn’t until the age of 14 when he joined his local brass band, City of Bristol Band.

Since then, Neil has played for many of the brass bands within the surrounding areas of Bristol, mainly championship section bands, playing either principal or front row cornet.

Neil achieved his first success playing for a championship section band in 2006 when he joined The Polysteel/Flowers Band on 2^nd cornet under the direction of Phillip Harper. During this time, Neil was involved in the bands numerous Yeovil and Wychavon entertainment contest wins as well as two Area wins and a Grand Shield win, which promoted the band back to the British open. In addition to this, he achieved second place at The All England International Masters and a third place at the English National Championships. Not only did he have contesting success, but he also had the opportunity to play on three CD recordings and had the opportunity to play under the direction of numerous conductors including the likes of Russell Gray, Garry Cutt, the late Richard Evans and Roy Newsome to name just a few.

In 2010, Neil left Flowers band and had a small stint first with Portishead band and then later with Wantage Band. During his time with Wantage, Neil was part of the band’s first and only time winning the Championship section areas playing St Magnus, helping the band to qualify for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall – the first time in the band’s history.

In 2014, Neil returned to his routes and rejoined one of his old bands, Filton Concert Brass, playing bumper up to Kev Darby under the direction of Tom Davoren. The success with Filton started straight away by winning the First Section National Finals. The following year, the band achieved its goal and was promoted to the Championship section coming 3^rd at the areas during their first year in the section.  Neil experienced a great deal of success with the band with 3 back to back wins at the Welsh open championships and coming second at the areas in 2017, where the band qualified for the Championship section finals for the first time in the band’s history. Neil was also involved in the band’s win at both the Senior Trophy and the following year in the Senior Cup. He also took part in Filton’s first CD recording (Tails of the West) and the band’s tour to Lithuania. In 2022, Neil was promoted to principal cornet and became the band manger, where he helped the band to rebuild after the pandemic  and to continue competing in the Championship Section.

Neil joined Albourne Band in February 2025. He felt that he needed a new challenge working with a forward thinking, motivated band. Neil said that the opportunity of playing at all of the major contests and also playing under the direction of Glyn Williams was an opportunity that was too good to miss. Winning the areas straight away with the band was the icing on the cake.

Paul Bilkey (Soprano)

After a chance blow of a Bb Cornet in a music rehearsal at his parent’s home, Paul was encouraged to take up the instrument; starting at the age of 12 with his local brass band Helston Town in Cornwall. Within months of beginning on Bb Cornet, the junior band’s MD David Pascoe recognised his talent for the upper range and introduced him to the Soprano Cornet where he has remained ever since; making his contest debut with Helston in the 3^rd Section at the Pontins Finals 2 years later.

After 4 happy years under Edward Ashton, he moved to Redruth Town under Leonard Adams to play alongside friends made in the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, where Paul under the directorship of Albert Chappell had the opportunity to play at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth. Leaving Redruth After 2 years he moved ‘north’ for employment, settling in the Oxford Area; playing firstly with Swindon Brass and then Aldbourne. Following a change in career he moved back to Cornwall and was invited to join Camborne Town; enjoying 3 successful years under Steve Sykes and Derek Greenwood.

Changing employment once again Paul moved to Aldershot in Hampshire; a 10-year period that initially rekindled playing with Aldbourne for a short spell before transferring to the more local Alder Valley Brass in Aldershot and then Friary Guildford. A brief move to Lincolnshire saw Paul join Foss Dyke Band before returning to Oxfordshire in 2005 and the recently vacated soprano chair at Aldbourne, where he has remained to date; playing in some of the most enjoyable, high calibre and successful music performances of his career.

Jannine Aston (2nd Cornet)

Jannine started playing the cornet when she was 8, taught by he Dad. She played in a village band in Lancashire called Lostock Hall Memorial which was conducted by her Dad and formed by her Grandad in 1948. She progressed through the cornet section ultimately being principal cornet, but also playing flugel and a brief spell on euphonium.

At 18 she moved to the Championship Section when she joined the back row at Besses o’th Barn Band in Manchester. Following 17 enjoyable years at Besses, where she played at many prestigious concerts and competitions Jannine’s job as a privacy professional moved her south in 2005. Since then she has played ‘bass cornet’ for Aldbourne, Polysteel (Flowers) and Woodfalls and returned to Aldbourne in 2024.

Jane Tilley (3rd Cornet)

Jane  heralds from Dorset and started playing cornet aged 8 with Beaminster Brass and Crewkerne Concert Band ( now Phoenix Brass). She spent her formative years playing mostly trumpet through School and County Orchestras, but Brass Banding formed the core of her love of Brass Playing.  She has moved around with her job in I.T. and this has brought her into contact with many different Bands across the South playing bumper up and front row Backrow and Repiano, including,  Phoenix Brass Lydney Band, Thornbury Band, Bendix Kingswood .

On moving to Swindon she played for Swindon Pegasus prior to taking a break from banding whilst she focussed on bringing up her two boys and work. She returned to Banding in 2012 and  joined Aldbourne cornet section in 2015 and has not looked back ! Emphasizing the family music making in the Band she is married to Andrew Tilley the Solo Baritone player in Aldbourne .