Thoresby Colliery has announced that it will join forces with Ian McElligott for their assault on the Grand Shield in Blackpool in May.

The band recently qualified for the National Finals and told 4BR that it intends to build on that success.

No stranger

Ian McElligott is no stranger to the band having worked with them on many occasions in the past. It was under his direction thatt the band gained promotion to the Grand Shield from the Senior Cup in 2007.

The band is playing extremely well right now, so it is only right that we engage the very best conductors and continue with the hard work that everyone is putting inNick Harris

Masters invite

The band has also accepted an invitation to compete at the All England International Masters Championship at which Ian will also conduct.

The new MD told 4BR: "The two pieces are very different but I have total confidence that the band will deliver strong and musical performances as they always have done whenever we have worked together."

Extremely well

Band Manager Nick Harris added: "The band is playing extremely well right now, so it is only right that we engage the very best conductors and continue with the hard work that everyone is putting in.

With Huw Thomas as our resident conductor I believe we have the right combination in place to continue recent achievements as we go through 2011."

Signing

As part of their team for the Grand Shield the band welcomes Katherine Baguley on cornet from Shirland Band.