Hard work spent nurturing young, local musicians has paid dividends for the Deepcar Band after they enjoyed their first major competition win in 27 years at the recent Ireland Colliery 'Battle of the Bands' contest.

Long awaited

Deepcar claimed their long-awaited winner's laurels after adjudicator Michael Fowles placed them first in the combined Third/Fourth Section of the event ahead of four strongly matched rivals.

Not only did the band celebrate long into the night their overdue achievement, but individual awards also went to soprano player, Geraint Hale, who won the 'Best Soloist' prize for his fine rendition of 'Demelza', and to 10 year old Maddie Cooke — making her contesting debut — who was the youngest player on the day.

Training band programme

Both are products of Deepcar's highly successful training band programme, which has now started to produce a stream of fine young playing talent, whilst the victory has also come on the back of encouraging contest appearances in recent months — from Whit Friday to Holmfirth and now Chesterfield.

Hard work

Musical Director, Lindon Bolt, told 4BR that the progress has been down to hard work and that long term investment in youth development.

"From time to time, we do see players leave the main band to go and progress their playing at a higher level,"he said.

"Although we are sad to see them go, we are happy and proud of the fact that we are continually adding to the pool of players that are helping to keep the movement alive."

The recent impressive successes come from every player in the band. I'm delighted their hard work has paid offMD, Lindon Bolt

Paid off

He added: "The recent impressive successes come from every player in the band. I'm delighted their hard work has paid off."

Lindon also wished to thank Adam Bell who took Deepcar around the Whit Friday circuit.