Blidworth Welfare Band assistant principal cornet Stephen Bennett recently led the ceremonial fanfare trumpets of the Royal Air Force at a service to mark the Centenary of the Royal Air Force.

Attended by Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family, Steve told 4BR: "It was an amazing experience and a good example of how a fanfare can be so effective, especially when played with the style and musicality for which Royal Air Force Music Services are renowned."

Anniversaries

Throughout various concerts this year, Blidworth Welfare Band has also paid tribute to the RAF by performing 'The Dambusters March' and is looking forward to a number of high profile concert appearances themselves in 2019 — including a run of the stage hit 'Brassed Off!' in Newark-upon-Trent.

And although the fictional story is readily associated with Grimethorpe Colliery, it also has an emotional resonance with the band as their own local pit closed four years prior to their Yorkshire counterparts.

We're delighted to have been asked to provide the music for this production as it's a poignant way to mark the 30th anniversary of the closure of Blidworth Colliery and pay tribute to the adversity that our community had to endureMD Simon Oates

Poignant way

Musical Director, Simon Oates told 4BR: "We're delighted to have been asked to provide the music for this production as it's a poignant way to mark the 30th anniversary of the closure of Blidworth Colliery and pay tribute to the adversity that our community had to endure.

He added: "Whilst we'll be playing the part of Grimley Colliery, our players will be playing with passion and pride with Blidworth in their hearts".