Thoresby Colliery Band is to make a return to the Whit Friday march contests this year, after an absence of 57 years.

57 years ago

The last time the Nottinghamshire band played at the event was in 1957 — when Harold MacMillan was Prime Minister, Aston Villa won the FA cup, and an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit the East Midlands!

More recently, the most notable earthquakes in the East Midlands have taken place in nearby Ollerton, where scientists put the increased seismic activity down to mining at Thoresby Colliery, which was originally opened in 1925.

Closing

However, after 90 years of deep mining and with closure imminent, the band realised this may well be the last time they could make the trip to the iconic contests as a brass band representing a working pit.

Dave Howells, who plays Bb Bass, is believed to be just one of a handful of deep pit miners left in the banding movement, and as he told 4BR, he certainly felt that this year’s event would have special significance.

History now

"I’ve been at Thoresby Colliery this time round for nine years, but have worked in other mines around the area and been in the band for 23 years," he said.

"There are only a few of us left who work at the mine and have that connection. It’s just history now, not like when I first joined a band in 1975, when out of the 30 players at least 20 were miners."

He added: "I’m one of the lucky ones, as I’ve been kept on for the last phase, but we have already lost 270 men who are on their notice."

There are only a few of us left who work at the mine and have that connection. It’s just history now, not like when I first joined a band in 1975, when out of the 30 players at least 20 were minersDave Howells

Positive

Band Chairman George Kennedy was positive that the local community would be firmly behind the band, now and in the future.

"The current band is the best I have ever heard play, and I think we have a real chance of winning some silverware. However, the trip definitely has more to it this year as come next October with UK Coal’s plans, the pit will be no more."

He added: "We still have a wonderful community behind us though. They have always supported the band so we hope to have that support again come Friday and beyond."

Support

Under Professional Musical Director Brian Grant, the band is keen to do the Thoresby community proud and will be posting their progress through social networks @ThoresbyBand using the hashtag #WhitFriday2014, as well as their Facebook page Thoresby Colliery Band.