- Name: Neil Orton.
- Nickname: Stumpy Wizz, aka Le Stump.
- Occupation: Self Employed.
- Instrument/Position in Band: Solo Baritone.
- Previous Bands: Abraham Darby, Telford Band, Jackfield, Waterbeach, Royston, Jaguar Cars, Stourport, Bank's Brewery, Bedworth.
- When did you start playing? What got you into banding?: At school age 11. I remember being gutted when Colin Jones told me there were no clarinets left, and if I wanted to play in the band I should take a cornet home.
- Luckiest Banding Moment: Finding that Colin Jones had no clarinets left!!!
- Funniest or Most Embarrassing Banding Moment: Enjoying a few beers with the lads after playing at Pershore Brass Festival, I was dragged out of the pub to help Bretforton Band in the tent behind the Angel. As I walked into the tent, I could see the band were ready to start, and was quickly handed a particularly attractive purple jacket, too small, naturally, and a hooter with a bell like a ragmans trumpet!! I clambered onto the stage, and the MD introduced me to the band. What I didn't spot was that only three legs of my chair were on the stage, so when I sat down, everything went over. Instinct took over and I grabbed the nearest thing to hand. Turned out to be the bra strap of the girl sat next to me. The result was a scene of devastation!!! Definitely the loudest, longest standing ovation in banding history.
- Highlight of Banding Career: There have been many, but playing at the Royal Albert Hall with Bedworth at the 2000 Nationals will take some licking. That reminds me of a joke... ooer...perhaps not!
- Other hobbies/interests: Sport watching and sleeping, although don't seem to get much time for either these days.
- Favourite tipple?: Cooking Lager, Carpet Shampoo.
- Burning Ambition?: Get to rehearsal on time. Did it once before, October 1993 I think it was. Enjoyed it. Would love to do it again.
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© Bedworth Brass 2002.