September 2012 - The website gets a long overdue update!

After quite some time the website has now been given a new lease of life. It's been a long time coming for a variety of reasons but it's here now!! There are still a few pages under construction we'll admit but these will be populated over the next few weeks.

December 2010 - Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas from everyone associated with Gresley Colliery band!!!

The Christmas concert season has ended for yet another year and the band are now officially on holiday. December has seen the band perform both as a full band and as a 10 piece ensemble at everything from village halls to rugby club parties! Needless to say - a rest will be most welcome. Next year will initially see the band preparing hard for the Midlands Area Contest in March before getting well and truly stuck into the 2011 concert season - details of which will be uploaded in the new year.

Merry Christmas all!! Have a sherry and a mince pie on me!!

November 2010 - Sparklers in the bandroom!!

Well, as Wes settles into his new role as Musical Director the band continues to concentrate on filling the vacancies that currently exist. A number of key seats still remain available and these offer a great opportunity for someone looking for that top seat in a competitve Championship section brass band.

However, the band are also using this as an opportunity to bring a number of the older members of Gresley Colliery Youth Band into the senior band - thus demonstrating the extrememly important role that the Youth Band plays in training young players as a means of safeguarding the future of brass bands in the area.

The band would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome Dale Hopkins on horn and Ryan Hopkins on Bb bass. Dale and Ryan join existing Youth Band 'graduates' Grace Davies (cornet) and Dan Smith (percussion).

October 2010 - The search is finally over!

Great news this month. October has finally brought an end to the long and difficult search for a new Musical Director for Gresley Colliery Band. The band are proud to announce the appointment of Wesley Kendrick to the position and are now looking forward to a long and successful partnership together. More information can be found here and on Wes's website at www.falnamusic.com.

However.....

In order to assist Wes in his new role the band must first fill a number of currently empty chairs. Latest vacancies can be found here although applications for any seat are welcomed.

September 2010 - All change!!

A number of player changes are making website maintenance a nightmare at the moment!!! I shall endeaver to keep up though.

The band are very excited to welcome three new additions this month:-
Mark Smith joins the band on Solo Euphonium - filling the seat vacated by Dan Cheadle last month. On 2nd trombone we welcome Stephen Rhodes who neatly slots in where Pete Broadbent used to sit. Best news of all - although I am biased - is the addition of Richie Bates to the percussion section giving Gresley Colliery Band their first permanant three person percussion team ...... ever! Richie joins Dan Smith and I at the loud end of the band and I may even get around to including us on the Meet the Band section now as a result.

Conversely however, we also find ourselves saying goodbye to two valued members of our cornet section this month. Principal Cornet player Stuart Pearson has been forced to relinquish his seat after only a few short months due to changes in his work committments, and Sam Atherton has decided to leave the band in order to concentrate her efforts on her medical studies. The band would like to thank both Stuart and Sam for their efforts and expertise during their time with us.

The search for cornet players begins here... If you are interested in playing for the band or know of anyone elso who may be - please contact the band via any of the methods provided here.

August 2010 - Not so hot summer!!

Well - our search for a new Musical Director continues. It's been a frustrating couple of months with our hopes being dashed after some initial confidence that the search was coming to an end. However - on the positive side - a fresh appeal has drawn interest from a number of potential candidates and the process of selection continues with a new found urgency.

Also in the news this month:-

Solo Euphonium player Dan Cheadle has announced his resignation from the band in order to further his playing career elsewhere. Dan has been an integral part of the team for a number of years and will be sadly missed. The entire band would like to wish Dan all the best for the future.

July 2010 - Hot summer!!

Gresley Colliery Band would like to express their thanks to Tim Oldroyd for his time and patience over the past few weeks as Musical Director for our early summer engagements. News will be released regarding the band's new Musical Director once essential discussions have concluded.

Other news this month:-

Best wishes to 2nd trombonist Pete Broadbent who has been forced to relinquish his seat in order to accept a job in Australia. Pete has been a valued member of the team contributing his skills not only as a trombonist but also as rehearsal conductor on many occasions.

It has been confirmed that the band are to stage this year's flagship concert of the year in aid of the 'Burton Hospitals Scanner Appeal'. The concert is due to take place at Burton Town Hall on Friday September 24th and half of all proceeds will go towards the appeal. Tickets will be on sale soon so keep an eye on our engagements page for more details.

June 2010 - The search for a new Musical Director continues

As the closing date for Musical Director applications draws near, Gresley Colliery Band continue to work hard preparing an entertaining programme for their forthcoming engagements. The band will take to the stage this month under the expert baton of Mr Tim Oldroyd.

May 2010 - New Principal Cornet announced

Gresley Colliery Band are happy to announce the appointment of Stuart Pearson to the seat of Principal Cornet.

Stuart has been playing the cornet since the age of 6 and brings with him a wealth of experience having previously played with a number of top UK bands in the Midlands, Yorkshire, North West and Sourthern Area.

Stuart started banding with Stanley Common Silver Prize Band, progressing from there through the music centre system - studying under the late Steven Shimwell for a number of years - before going on to play principle cornet at a band that had many names including Orion Airways, Britannia Airways and Thornton's Brass. He studied the trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music with Jim Watson and graduated from King's College with a joint degree in Music and Computing.

May 2010 - Election month

In keeping with the election fever gripping the country this month, Gresley Colliery Band has elected it's new committee for 2010/11. 2010 finds the band competing in the Championship Section for the first time in its 150 year history. As a result substantial and important decisions have been made which are intended specifically to streamline and modernise band management and re-focus efforts in readiness for the challenges of an exciting future. This is a positive statement of intent from Gresley Colliery Band and one which is hoped will secure its future as a successful competition and concert band.

Perhaps the most notable change is the appointment of Tony Bayliss as Band Manager - a role which now takes complete responsibility for the day to day running of the band with regard to player management. This appointment allows Band Secretary Steve Kirk to focus his efforts on the many vital aspects of band administration.

Full details of the newly elected committee can be found here.

April 2010 - Player changes dominate the news this month

Mixed emotions this month as the band say both hello and goodbye to valued members.

The band are very sad to announce the departure of Principal Cornet player Chris North who has decided to relinquish his seat for personal reasons. The band would like to take this opportunity to extend their very best wishes to Chris for the future and thank him for his considerable contribution to the bands' recent successes. In addition, the band's 2nd Euphonium player Karl Eames has decided to step down and concentrate more of his time on his business interests. Karl has been a key member of Gresley Colliery Band, both as a player and as a committee member for the majority of his life and the band are happy to confirm that Karl will continue to contribute to the band's future in a non-playing role.


On a happier note - the band are pleased to announce a number of significant additions to the team:-

Scot Bennett joins the band on Solo Horn whilst Paul Brockwell joins on 1st Horn. Dawn Evans joins on 1st Baritone and Shaun Francis joins the band on Eb bass - a seat recently vacated by Dave Cross who has made the change from Eb to Bb bass.


See our vacancies page for all information relating to current opportunities.

March 2010 - Gresley Colliery Band welcome new Musical Director

The Band are pleased to announce that following his extensive efforts to prepare the band for the Midlands Regional Area Championships earlier this year, John Durrant MA LLCM TD Cert Ed. has agreed to stay on as Musical Director for the forthcoming concerts and Buxton contest on 2nd May.

Going for Experience

It is clear to all associated with Gresley Colliery Band that John's varied and extensive experience, coupled with his never ending enthusiasm will have a hugely positive effect on the band. Band Secretary, Steve Kirk, said “the band is only too aware that this is their first year competing in the Championship Section and we know that we have a hard job ahead of us but the Band is relishing the challenge and looking forward to making its mark".

January 2010 - New Year, New Challenges

Both the Senior Band and the Youth Band are currently practising hard for the up and coming contest season. The Youth Band are the first to enter the arena when they play at The Butlin's Mineworkers Contest at the end of January, followed by the Senior Band who are busy practising 'English Heritage' for the 'Areas' in March. For both bands this is a 'first', for the Youth Band it will be their first time ever on a contest stage and for the Senior Band it will be their first time playing in the Championship Section at the 'Areas'. We wish both bands the very best of luck and  hope that both will come away with a good result! 

Youth Band does us proud!!

Gresley Colliery Youth Band opened the Bass Charity Vase Presentation Evening on 4 December 2009. Following a nomination by the Vase committee, the Band were overjoyed to have received a cheque for £300.

December 2009 - 'Tis the season to be jolly!

"Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat please put a penny in the old man's hat!"

Or if your out anywhere in the local area and you hear a brass band playing carols, then the chances are it will be our very own Youth Band! They have a very hectic time before them carol playing, so please be very generous and support the work of the band who are raising funds to be able to take part in the Annual Butlin's Contest in January.

Meanwhile, the Senior Band are not sitting back, having come second at the Leicester Brass Band Association Contest on Sunday the 29th November, we now are really into the festive season with three concerts all in the space of a week! If you'd like to treat yourself to a really traditional time at Christmas why not come along to our Annual Christmas Concert at Blackfordby Village Hall on Sunday December 13th. Tickets are £5 each and available via this website or by ringing Steve Kirk on 01283 760526.

We look forward to seeing you there!

November 2009 - Second at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Contest! A GREAT result!

Many long hours of practice and dedication finally paid off for the players of the Senior Band last weekend, when they were awarded second place at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Contest held at Burleigh College in Loughborough. The band once again played Symphony of Marches by Gilbert Vinter and more than justified their promotion to the top level of brass banding with a first class performance that earned them second place and the Jack Peberdy Cup. Once again, the band would like to thank Simon Jones for his time, his considerable effort, and never ending enthusiasm as Musical Director over the past few months. Special mention must also be made of Grace Davies and Dan Smith, who are both members of the Gresley Colliery Youth Band, who were helping out the Senior Band.

5th at Pontins! - A good result!

On the weekend 24th/25th October the Senior band travelled to a wet and dismal Prestatyn in Noth Wales, to take part in the annual Pontin's contest. After all the hard work and extra practices put in, we came a very worthwhile fifth and whilst the whole of the band played exceptionally well,special mention must go to two people. Firstly, to Simon Jones our Musical Director who only took on the band a short while ago and through lots of determination and hard work helped the band acheive this very wothwhile result, and secondly, to Dan Smith, who is the percussionist with the Youth Band and was drafted into helping the Senior Band at very sort notice. After only four practices, Dan played a very creditable performance which only goes to prove that this young man has a promising musical career in front of him!

September 2009 - Des Boddice Memorial Concert Sunday October 4th

The Senior band and Youth band are to hold a Memorial Concert in rememberance of Mr. Des Boddice - President of the band at Gresley Old Hall on Sunday October 4th at 7:30 p.m. Special guests will include Nigel Boddice and Roger Webster. Tickets are £5 and available through this site or from Steve Kirk on 01283 760526. Des was a loyal member of the band joining in 1935, during his time with the band he conducted, was band manager and finally, President. he gave unstintingly of his time and talents - particularly when it came to teaching youngsters - He will be sadly missed by past and present members of the band and by playing this concert, the band are paying tribute to a man who was one of the cornerstone's of The Gresley Colliery Band organisation.

August 2009 - The Search is on!

For a variety of reasons Stephen Shimwell has decided to part company with the band and so we are now auditioning for a new Musical Director. If you feel that you have the right qualifications and commitment to take the band forward into the Championship Section, then why not apply? For further details see our 'Vacancies Page'

The band also has one final open air concert of the year, when we are appearing at Moira Furnace on Sunday September 6th from 2 - 4 p.m. as part of North West Leicestershire Ditrict Council's 'Music in the Parks' programme. The concert entitled 'Blast From The Furnace', promises to have a progamme to suit all musical tastes and what is more, it's TOTALLY FREE! So why not bring a chair, find a spot and be entertained by one of the best brass bands in the Midlands!

June 2009 - Comings and Goings

Over the past few months, there have been a few comings and goings with players leaving the band and others joining. And we would like to welcome Anita Poyner on 2nd Cornet, Sam Atherton on Front Row Cornet and Dan Cheadle on Euphonium.

April 2009 - Championship Section here we come!

The band has finally received written confirmation that as from January 2010 we will be playing in the Championship Section! This rewards all the dedication and hard work of our new Musical Director Stephen Shimwell, the players, their other halves and everyone else who has tirelessly worked to support the band in so many ways, we would like to thank you all.

March 2009 - Concert update

Please don't forget our next concert, which will be a joint concert with Gresley Male Voice Choir on:- Saturday 18th April at Gresley Old Hall and will commence at 7:15p.m. (Doors open at 6:30p.m), admission is £5 and tickets are available by booking through this website or ringing Steve Kirk on 01283 760526. Look forward to seeing you there!