Backworth Colliery Band News

Backworth Colliery Band are delighted to announce the awards of a grant of £5,000. The grant, which was kindly donated from the Sage Community Fund via the Community Foundation, forms the first part of an ambitious £24,000 fund raising project initiated by the band.

The grant will enable the band to buy new instruments and to also purchase a new set of walking-out uniforms, something that the band has badly needed due to the increasing number of outdoor jobs the band is being employed for.

Colin Harris, Musical Director and Chairman, states:

“Without the support of funds like the Community Foundation and Sage Community Fund, the band would struggle to provide its members and future members with the right musical instruments and equipment. It is our ambition to continue providing an outlet for the community’s music makers, especially the younger players in the area.”

“The band is self-funding and has been for 7 years – in that time our income from concerts and public performance has barely covered the running costs of the band, leaving no money for purchasing new instruments or music. As it stands several members of the band are playing on instruments which are now past their best or are playing on instruments kindly loaned by other bands. We also have a waiting list of players in both the senior and junior bands who cannot join us because we do not have the right instruments for them. This is a sad situation but one we are addressing with the assistance of grants such as this.”

New players

The band is also delighted to officially announce the signing of four new players to the band.

Verity O’Hara joins on principal cornet from RMT Easington Band. Verity is no stranger to the band, having been a member on two previous occasions. She has vast experience at playing at the highest level of banding and her sheer presence leading the cornet section is invaluable.

Cath McAllister joins the band on Trombone. Cath, who was born and bred in Scotland, has played with many bands and brings with her a wealth of experience. She has recently relocated to the Newcastle area from spells with her job around the country.

Geoff Howe is a ‘local lad’ having lived and played in the Westoe area before moving South. He has since returned to the North East and has joined the band on E-flat Bass along with Matthew Fletcher who initially joined the Junior Band. His talent was soon spotted by the Junior Band’s team and Matthew has quickly established himself as part of our euphonium and baritone section.

All four players debuted at the Borders Entertainment Contest in Innerleithen, Scotland on 3rd November.

Future Plans

The band are busy preparing for a packed Christmas Concert programme across the region including performances in Whitely Bay, Newcastle, Hartlepool and Bamburgh.

2008 will start with three major contests as the band prepare for the Butlins Mineworkers Contest in Skegness, Brass at the Guild Hall in Preston and the Regional Qualification Contest in Darlington.

Courtesy of Dave Morris, a friend of BBb-Bass player Peter Barker, we have some splendid shots of the band marching in Forest Hall on Sunday 11th November.

Please click here to view the photos.

Notice we are all marching in step!

Backworth Colliery Band played at the Borders Entertainments Contest in Innerleithen on Sunday for the first time in their history.

Drawn number 4, the band played a programme consisting of Golden Lady, Gabriel’s Oboe, Norwegian Wood, Someone to Watch Over Me and Breezin’ Down Broadway.

The band finished 11th, but was not to disappointed in what was an open contest competing against bands higher up the ‘brass band’ ladder.

It was the first contest for several players and the band enjoyed the opportunity to perform at a new venue.

Full results are at available from sbba.org.uk