Tributes Paid To Medina Marching Band Leader

Tributes are being paid to an instrumental member of Medina Marching Band, who has died at the age of 64.

Kevin Hayward was diagnosed with a Lymphoma in the brain in 2019 - a very rare type of cancer which was hard to treat because of where it was in the brain.

For 25 years, Kevin was the band's chairman and played key roles in events - on and off - the Island.

In a heartfelt post, Medina Marching Band, said:

"He fought like only Kevin knows how and never gave in hanging on in there right up until the end well beyond the 12 months that he was predicted to live soon after his treatment ended.

"To Medina Marching Band and its members he was the boss, our leader the backbone of the band the one that drove everything on to achieve all that it had done in the 25 years as Chairman.

"From formally taking on the running of the band in 1998 when the band's founder the late George Urry passed away, the band was down to the bare bones with only 12 playing members - within two years the band was turning out a band of 70+!

"The team of volunteers Kevin had put together with a range of experience within the Island marching band scene. Along with his dedicated support staff including, Jan and Derek Cooper worked tirelessly raising the profile of the band once again, using the reputation of the past and the enthusiasm of the future, recruiting local young talent most of whom had never played a musical instrument before, learnt to march and play a musical instrument and brought the band back to life, performing at events the length and breadth of the country.

"Playing on the dock alongside the QE2 before she set sail, London's Lord Mayor's Show on two occasions, military tattoos, carnivals and shows, overseas trips to Germany, Italy and Belgium. The list is endless but all because of one person, Kevin driving it on.

"The band also had a short spell competing once again on the Traditional Youth Marching Band Association circuit and cleaning up most of the awards in their class, Kevin was never afraid to try something new.

"Kevin always put band at the top of his priority list he sacrificed so much of his personal and family time to make sure the band always progressed and stayed strong, even evenings and weekends when band wasn’t on there was always something to do and wanting to make sure it was done right or how he wanted.

"He often took it upon himself to do a lot of this work himself.

I could go on, but I want you to think about your memories of Kevin in your own minds, so the best way to finish this post is to say thank you, thank you for all you did to bring back our band, back to where it belongs.

"We will promise you this - we will strive to keep MMB where you have got it, you’ve set the bar, your legacy lives on we will never forget what that you have done for MMB and it’s members past and present.

"Our thoughts are with Jane, Jo, Nicky,Tara at this difficult time.

"So to our Boss and Friend it's good night and thank you R.I.P"