Roger Doherty (cornet)
Roger is the the oldest of the ‘Docs' in Downshire. He was taught the basics of cornet playing at an early age by his father who had played for the 46th Old Boys Silver Band.
Aged 10, he joined the 34th Boys Brigade (Ulsterville Presbyterian) and joined their silver band which was conducted by Jack Crossan OBE. Roger joined the Reid Memorial when he was 17 years old and was was appointed principal cornet aged 19. He met his wife, Deborah, in the band. Four days after their engagement he played “My love is like a red red rose” in an Entertainment contest at Shorts. What a romantic person you are thinking!
Roger has been involved in teaching “learners” since 1987 with the Reid Memorial and after the amalgamation with Hillsborough Silver to create Downshire Brass, he took over the Junior band. With his love of Sport, Roger has been known to pack the cornet in the suitcase when travelling as part of the GAWA to a football game Other occasions have included the 2008 Euros in Austria, 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the Euros in France where the bar in Lyon which Rogers friends and family were playing and singing outside attracted so many people it ran out of beer but served wine at the same price. Roger is a member of the Ulster rugby band which includes other Downshire members.
Now retired from work after 46 years as a biochemist in the Royal Victoria Hospital , most of his leisurely time is spent playing golf either at Dunmurry or up in Portrush. His grandchildren are now having a say in his leisure time and his grandson Miles has persuaded him to rebuild a model railway which has been in boxes for 25 years. Now that is definitely a long term project.