One of the most welcome contest appearances at the successful 'Picnic in the Park' contest held in Durham recently came from Felling Band.

Originally formed 1873, they achieved Championship Section status in 2008, going on to enjoy a remarkable period of success — topped by becoming North of England Regional Champion in 2012.

Fortunes changed

However, since that competitive high, fortunes changed, and by the end of 2016 the band was down to just five regular playing members and had lost its rehearsal home. Although the difficult decision was taken not to try and carry on competing, rather than throw the towel in, the group vowed to play on.

A new rehearsal venue was found at Trinity Centre in Gateshead town centre and under the direction of Jason Smith and with the kind help of friends from other local bands, they have slowly but surely rebuilt in strength — and at the recent 'Picnic in the Park' event they made their long awaited return.

We were still a few players short and the result could have been kinder, but it's yet another step in the right direction that will hopefully see us competing again on a regular basisFelling Band

Right direction

Band chairman, Haydn Rayner, who has seen all of the ups and downs of the band over the last 40 years, told 4BR: "It was fantastic to be back on the contest stage again.

We were still a few players short and the result could have been kinder, but it's yet another step in the right direction that will hopefully see us competing again on a regular basis".

Next up for the band is marching with the Heworth Colliery banner into Durham on the famous Miner's Gala Day on 14th July with the longer term aim of returning to the Area contest in 2019.