Band regulars include some of the finest traditional musicians in Northumberland.  
Left to right  - Nathan Armstrong (2nd box), Anthony Robb (Fiddle and smallpipes), Ian Murray (Drums), Heather Robb (Fiddle), Colin Bradford (Accordion)
Seated centrally   David Normanton (Caller)

 

  
     

Nathan (Accordion)

Young Nathan Armstrong from Shilbottle is a shining star in the new generation of Northumbrian musicians.   Whether playing lead accordion or second box, Nathan is an enormous asset to the Castle Band.   Still studying at the Duchess's School in Alnwick, he has already started winning local competitions for playing  and for composition.  Definitely a young man to watch for the future.

Nathan is the principal accordionist  with local youth band, BorderBox.   BorderBox have just finished recording a CD which will be released in the spring of 2008.   If you want to reserve a copy please email Colin Bradford.

Anthony (Fiddle and smallpipes)

Ex-headmaster, Dr Anthony Robb is a great dance band fiddler with a superb driving Northumbrian style.   However his main claim to fame (apart from his refusal to use Grecian 2000) is his outstanding piping. He has played the Northumbrian pipes for over 30 years and featured on 9 albums. Having won over 40 competitions in his early career, he is now in demand as a tutor and judge.  

Along with Heather (see below) and others, Anthony has just released a very successful CD of pipe and fiddle music called "Windy Gyle".  Full details of Windy Gyle are on Anthony's website:  www.robbpipes.com.

David (Caller)

David Normanton is the consummate host for ceilidhs and barn dances   His humorous and good-natured approach enables him to guide, cajole and entertain all kinds of dancers, from the experienced to the enthusiastic novice.

David started his involvement with traditional music when he joined the legendary Killingworth Sword Dancers in his early twenties.   After a successful stint  with the KSD he went on to become the popular front man of the famous North East folk group and ceilidh band, Stanley Accrington and the Third Division North.   More recently David was a member of Northumbrian folk group, the Tight Alnwick Gadgies, as were Anthony and Colin.

 

Ian (Drums)

Ian Murray is one of the most experienced drummers in Northumberland and he successfully spans the two different genres of rock and traditional music.   He was one of the original members of Rothbury rock band, "Ken and the Rebels" and still turns out for their rock gigs.  

On the traditional music side he has been a member of the Border Country Dance Band ( with Alan Coulson and Geoff Purvis) and of the Tommy Edmondson band.  He continues his involvement in traditional music by by providing the solid rhythmic foundation of The Castle Band.

  

Heather (Fiddle)

Heather brings the benefits of a formal musical education to the band, as well as an air of much-needed quiet elegance.   Although a fairly recent convert to traditional music Heather (under the influence perhaps of her new husband, Anthony Robb) has rapidly developed a good traditional style and the band makes good use of her great fiddle sound in the harmony lines which overlay many of our tunes.

Colin (Accordion)

Colin Bradford plays the accordion and generally acts as the band's driver, haulage company, PA supplier, printer and hon. secretary.  Colin is well known throughout Northumberland for the new tunes he writes which have won a string of first prizes in competitions at Alnwick, Morpeth and Rothbury.

Like David, Colin's involvement with traditional music began over thirty years ago with the Killingworth Sword Dancers.   The Castle Band was the first spin-off band spawned by the KSD (followed later by Stanley Accrington & the Third Division North).   After stints with The Castle Band (Mark I and Mark II), the Harvesters, Stanley Accrington & the Third Division North, and the great Newcastle Electric Ceilidh Band, Colin had a decade out out when work took him to Tayside.   Since his return to  Northumberland in 1997 he has been involved (with Anthony) in Hotspur's Heroes and  (with Anthony and David) in both The Tight Alnwick Gadgies and the Mk III version of The Castle Band.

Colin is also the musical director of BorderBox, a band for young fiddlers and accordionists in Northumberland.  Colin's work with BorderBox and a long stint as Joint Musical Director of Alnwick Pipers' Society have enabled him to develop an interest in writing harmonies and band arrangements for traditional music.
  Whenever the opportunity arises, we also like to have playing with us in the band two of our favourite guest musicians, Kathy Anderson (piano) and Stewart Hardy (fiddle). Click here for a sound snippet of Stewart with Anthony and Colin.