Holin Hammerton

He taught for 40 years at Foulstone School, in Darfield, near Barnsley, where in his early days he raised money for instruments for the school band by recycling waste paper and selling ice cream.

He was a founder member of the Dearne Big Band and set up a number of musical groups for beginners including Barnsley Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Mr Hammerton was born in Darfield, the son of a builder, and educated at Holgate Grammar School, Barnsley, but it was his mother who introduced him to music particularly the piano and violin.

When he left school he studied music firstly at Huddersfield before moving to the Royal Manchester College of Music where he specialised in the organ and viola.

He was a choir boy at Darfield Parish Church, sang with Houghton Main Male Voice Choir and played in a brass band.

He also played the organ at local clubs and was musical director for many amateur dramatic and operatic productions, as well as running his band, a small ensemble and singers.

For the young people he taught he made his lessons fun and did everything with a smile and good humour.

He had retired from teaching but he carried on arranging and writing music, in the garage at the bottom of his garden which he converted into a music room.

He also continued to encourage and inspire people who thought they had little or no musical talent to play an instrument.

In his younger days he was also a sportsman, playing rugby for Yorkshire Boys and cricket for Darfield, where he later became honorary vice president of the club.

Mr Hammerton is survived by his wife Jackie, son Daniel and daughter Rachel.