Blidworth Colliery Welfare Band hits major stage

The musicians came third for the second year in a row at the midlands stage (1st Section). This means they qualify for the National finals in Cheltenham on 21st September.

They also came second in the Buxton Festival in April and third in February in the North East Midlands Brass Band Association contest.

Due to the band’s excellent results over the last three years, they will be promoted to the Championship section of the Brass Band League in January 2015.

A spokesman said: “These achievements are testament to musical director, Martin Heartfield, who has encouraged and pushed individuals within the band to achieve the highest results, as well as the individual hard work of the players themselves.

“The band tries hard to raise funds to enable further progress and the chance to purchase newer instruments.”

Blidworth Colliery Welfare Band are sponsored by the A W Lymn Centenary Fund.

The band was formed in the 19th century as the Stanton Hill Temperance Band, then becoming the Stanton Hill silver prize band.

An alliance with Teversal, Silver Hill and Sutton Collieries brought another new name, the Teversal Collieries Band.

The band moved to Blidworth in 1980 after the demise of the mining industry.

Contact the band by emailing [email protected].