Carlton Main Frickley Colliery has had a number of changes in personnel as they set their sights on the National Finals in London next weekend.

New players

Euphonium and cornet players Christian Dullea and Lottie Groves have joined Rothwell Temperance, to be replaced by RNCM and Huddersfield University students Martin Hoffman and Douglas Couchman.

Meanwhile, there has been a special welcome back to the UK banding shores for former Carlton Main principal cornet player Steve Ridler.

Top men

One of the most respected ‘top men’ in banding, he became principal cornet of the band in 1978, prior to spells with Leyland and Brighouse before he emigrated to Australia in 2000.

There he enjoyed a wonderful time on tenor horn with the Brisbane Excelsior Band — winning numerous National Championships along the way — something he is keen to repeat on his return home.

Supportive

Carlton Main Band Manager Rob Browne told 4BR: “It is always sad to see players move on, but in this case, both Lottie and Christian have given so much in their time here, we can be nothing but supportive in their decision to move on to new challenges."

The new signings are really exciting and the mix of youthful energy from Martin and Douglas and top level experience from Steve are going to be of great benefitCarlton Main Frickley

Exciting

Rob added: "The new signings are really exciting and the mix of youthful energy from Martin and Douglas and top level experience from Steve are going to be of great benefit in the continual development of the band as we strive to beat our third place finish at the Albert Hall last year."