*
banner

Labour and love for Grimethorpe

Grimethorpe Colliery Band welcomed delegates to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on the weekend.

Grimethorpe
  Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson (centre) dropped in to listen to the band

Grimethorpe Colliery Band played their part in welcoming MPs, delegates, activists and the world's press to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on the weekend.

The invitation to open the event came through the Band's Honorary President, Richard Corbett, the MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, who has been a proactive supporter of the band since taking up his role.

High profile listeners

Led by conductor Sandy Smith, Grimethorpe performed a short concert of easy listening repertoire, and was delighted to find that not only international camera crews, but a host of well known front bench spokesmen and women such as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson MP (above centre) took time out to come along and listen.

Talking to 4BR, a band spokesperson said that it had been another great high profile experience for the band.

"Grimethorpe has a long and proud tradition of representing its working class mining community — an industry that also has had strong historical links to the Labour Party.

It was a real honour to be asked to provide a welcome to the conference and great to meet up with so many people who already knew so much about us and loved the music we played for them.

Our thanks go to Richard Corbett who organised the invitation: It was yet another memorable concert appearance for the band."

It was a real honour to be asked to provide a welcome to the conference and great to meet up with so many people who already knew so much about us and loved the music we played for themGrimethorpe Colliery Band

Next generation

The appearance at the Labour Party Conference has come at a busy time for the band — after they performed both in concert and in contest mode at the recent British Open weekend in Birmingham and are looking forward to taking part at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in a fortnight.

It was also announced that the band will be holding its latest Grimethorpe Besson Youth Band Workshop on Saturday 20th October at the Outwood Academy in Shafton (S72 8RE).

The day led by John Doyle, is open to young brass and percussion players (Grade 4 +). It starts at 9.30am and will finish at 3.00pm with a closing concert.

Registration is now open for the free event. Visit www.grimethorpeband.co.uk and click on the Youth Band link

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd