Bestwood Black Diamonds Band is looking forward to celebrating its 65th anniversary in June this year.

Although a band in the area has been in existence much longer, the then Calverton & Bestwood Colliery Silver Prize Band spilt in 1945 to form two separate banding organisations, with the 'Diamonds' making their first contest appearance in June 1946.

We do have a local banding history that goes back to 1896, but we are proud that despite the spilt, we have have reached our 65th birthdayRichard Greenwood

65th birthday

Richard Greenwood told 4BR: "We do have a local banding history that goes back to 1896, but we are proud that despite the spilt, we have have reached our 65th birthday!"