The Times newspaper has a feature on the current state of the brass band world in this Friday’s edition.

Positive

Journalist Emma Pomfret’s sympathetically positive piece features the current problems facing Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, as well as others as they face up to growing costs, declining membership and stereotyped attitudes.

There are short interviews with Carlton Main’s stalwart Ray Sykes MBE and Becky Lundberg, as well as Stan Lippeatt and Lisa Stonham of North London based Grimsdyke Brass.

A few eyebrows will be raised by the report of an offer of £10,000 for Carlton Main’s second trombone player to join another band — unless Portsmouth Football Club are now in the banding business4BR

Raised eyebrow

A few eyebrows will be raised by the report of an offer of £10,000 for Carlton Main’s second trombone player to join another band — unless Portsmouth Football Club are now in the banding business.

Those with slightly longer memories may also be a touch surprised at Ray Sykes’ comment that he now found it ‘galling’ that bands such as Carlton Main (who were one of the first substantially funded colliery bands) now have to compete against bands who ‘..turn up in a massive coach and everything is paid for.”

Read the piece

To read the piece on line:
Go to:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle7041140.ece