Grimethorpe Colliery Band’s innovative partnership with a local primary school in Barnsley continues to bear musical fruit.

Nurturing

Members of the band have been nurturing the playing talents of a host of enthusiastic youngsters of Birkwood Primary School over the past year, and recently a dozen of them were entered into their very first Associated Board Royal School of Music exams.

The expert tuition certainly paid off, with all 12 passing with flying colours.

Proud

A very proud teacher Esther Sutton Smith told 4BR that the partnership has been a huge success and that her pupils are now clamouring to take lessons with the Grimethorpe stars.

"The partnership has been a wonderful success, and the icing on the cake for the pupils is that we will be holding a special celebration assembly for them and their families to attend, where Roger Webster is coming to join us and will present the children with their medals and certificates!"

Brilliant

She added: "Roger has spent many hours of his valuable time supporting our children. The children think he is brilliant – and as he originates from Barnsley he is an ideal role model for our pupils.

He and Grimethorpe invest their time and skill in our lovely pupils and their families and this has inspired them academically, socially and musically!"

He and Grimethorpe invest their time and skill in our lovely pupils and their families and this has inspired them academically, socially and musically!Teacher, Esther Sutton Smith

Great partnership

Roger added: "This great partnership continues to grow, and shows the band’s commitment to developing the next generation of brass players in the area.

It’s been one of the most rewarding things the band and I have ever undertaken."