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