Grimethorpe Colliery Band has joined the likes David Bowie, Sir Neville Marriner, Led Zeppelin, Syd Barrett, Kathleen Ferrier, ABBA and the great Lemmy from Motorhead in having a Blue Plaque unveiled in their honour as part of the 2017 BBC Music Day celebrations.
It can now be seen on the wall of their bandroom at the Acorn Centre in their home town, and according to Mike Read, Trustee of the British Plaque Trust, '… are footprints of our history, commemorating those who excelled in their particular field.'
Greatest
For BBC Music Day, all 40 BBC Local Radio stations and Asian Network in England teamed up with the Trust to unveil 47 historic Blue Plaques around the country — with the band formed 100 years ago joining forces with some of the greatest popular musicians and musical venues of the past half century and more in being recognised and celebrated.
Many of Grimethorpe's famous fans also paid tribute to them, with actor Stephen Tompkinson who appeared in the film 'Brassed Off!' saying: "When it would have been far easier to just pack up and stop entirely, this band kept playing on, and they are still playing loud and proud today. Being associated with them makes me fell incredibly proud."
Honoured
Meanwhile, Band Trustee Peter Haigh added: "We are an ambassador for this area, for Barnsley South Yorkshire and England when we go away on overseas tours, so I think it merits what we've been offered and we're delighted and honoured to have been given this award."
The plaque was awarded by BBC Radio Sheffield with the unveiling marked by a broadcast from the event where an ensemble from the band played the march 'Cross of Honour' and 'Concierto de Aranjuez'.
When it would have been far easier to just pack up and stop entirely, this band kept playing on, and they are still playing loud and proud today. Being associated with them makes me fell incredibly proudActor, Stephen Tompkinson
Find out more
https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/7f78803d-e6ae-469a-9e44-a243634a80db
