It's all change at the Newstead Welfare Band organisation, which they hope will refocus its position to ensure that music will be made in the Nottinghamshire coalfields for years to come.
Success
Eight years ago the organisation launched a youth band to promote a local youth interest in brass bands and ever since this 'second' band has grown in numbers.
Following success in the contesting field and promotion to the Third Section it changed its name to Newstead Abbey Brass to reflect the growing number of adult players supporting the group's development.
This represents a great opportunity for the new band to develop in its own right and as such it will be free to adopt a new name and identity going forwardNewstead spokesperson
Youth focus
As with most youth based organisations the situation has arisen where
university, work commitments and other distractions started to affect
membership numbers.
Following a number of discussions it was felt that Newstead's 'second' band should focus on its youth roots to continue to build for the future and provide opportunities for the thriving training group.
Agreement reached
This view was not universally shared by all and, in the light of this,
a number of the members of Newstead Abbey Brass have since reached an
agreement with a the trustees of a local band that disbanded 18 months ago, who have kindly been able to supply the much needed equipment to enable an independent band to be formed in its own right.
Great opportunity
A spokesperson told 4BR: "This represents a great opportunity for the new band to develop in its own right and as such it will be free to adopt a new name and identity going forward.
"This also allows Newstead Brass, as a successful championship section
band, and Newstead Youth Training Group, to continue unaffected by these changes."
4BR understands the formation of the new band from the former Newstead Abbey Brass has been carried out amicably and both bands have agreed that any dealings going forward will be handled in a spirit of cooperation.