IF you come to live in a Dales village, it’s advisable to keep your talents well hidden, unless you are willing to use them.

When Dr Duncan Bythell moved to Gunnerside in upper Swaledale in 1985, he mentioned to his neighbour that he played the piano, and in his Oxford days had also conducted a choir and an orchestra. "Ah," said the neighbour, "we might be needing a conductor for Muker Band".

Duncan decided to go to the annual Wine Party in Muker, to hear the band. For some reason the conductor hadn’t turned up, so Duncan’s neighbour, Philip Calvert, now principal cornet, who had spotted Duncan in the audience, came and coaxed him onto the stage to conduct the concert.

So began 38 happy years for band and conductor, which came to an end this year with Duncan’s retirement. He will keep in touch with the band, as vice-president, following tradition – his father was vice-president, and his mother Marian was president in her time.

He will continue his long association with Gunnerside chapel, where he has played the organ for services since 1997. He also prepares a local choir for special events such as the Midsummer and Shortest Day services, a long chapel tradition.

As well as Gunnerside chapel, Duncan plays weekly at Low Row URC church. Many years ago the senior elder knocked on his door, asking if he would be willing to play for services and what were his fees. “I’ve never taken a fee for playing for services, and I never will,” he replied. And he continues to this day.

Gunnerside also saw the birth of the Swale Singers, at first a few friends gathering round the piano as Duncan played anthems, folk songs and madrigals; within a few years he was conducting 40 members in major works at the Swaledale Festival.

In the days when Gunnerside put on village concerts, Duncan would accompany performers and conduct the choir. Gilbert & Sullivan has been a great love since schooldays and chapel days back in Burnley. At Oxford, when he conducted a week’s performance of The Gondoliers he was paid the princely sum of £40, the only time has earned money through music. He still conducts the Leyburn G&S Society, and will be taking part in this year’s performance of Trial by Jury, and selected items from other operas with guest soprano soloist Rachel Crisp. It is in Gunnerside on Saturday, May 14, Bedale, on Friday, May 20 and Leyburn, on Saturday, May 21.

If he had never told his neighbour that he played the piano, many people would have missed the pleasure his talents have brought to Upper Swaledale and beyond. The moral is, never hide your light under a bushel.