Although you have to go back over 30 years for the last time the name of Askern Colliery Band was announced as an Area champion, hopes are high that it may be heard again at the Yorkshire Regional Championships this weekend.

The band's last Area victory was in 1987, when the late Graham O'Connor led them to Second Section success, but following a confidence boosting win at the recent NEMBBA Contest in Derbyshire, hopes have risen that their time may be about to come again — this time in the First Section under the name of Hatfield & Askern Colliery.

Victories

Formed in 1921, Askern Colliery was regarded as a fine regional band, coming runner-up at the Third Section National Finals in 1961.

In 1980 they won both the Senior Trophy and Third Section National title, whilst their last victory came at the Mineworkers Championship in 1987, just a few months after their Regional win.

Unfortunately the following 30 years almost saw the name of Askern disappear from the banding movement, as following the closure of Askern Colliery in 1991, players and engagements slowly dwindled until they almost folded in the early 2000s.

However, a small group of players kept things going, and in 2014 a link was made with the Hatfield Band leading to a merger proposal that would ultimately help to preserve the futures and histories of both organisations.

It has been a long journey for both bands — but especially Askern. Now we have a wonderful momentum and a great atmosphere amongst everyoneBand spokesperson

Merger

Playing under the Hatfield name and rehearsing in Askern, they slowly pooled resources and assets, culminating in a formal merger as Hatfield & Askern Colliery Band in May 2018 — a decision that finally brought together two South Yorkshire pit villages separated by a distance of less than eight miles.

With welcome support from Hatfield Town Council, and under the leadership of Stan Lippeatt, the band has since prospered, and after coming 5th at the 2018 Senior Cup they moved up a gear in 2019 with a podium finish at the Brass at the Guild contest in Preston and a victory at the recent Derbyshire event.

Long journey

A spokesperson told 4BR. "It has been a long journey for both bands — but especially Askern. Now we have a wonderful momentum and a great atmosphere amongst everyone.

We hope that we can crown things this weekend with a return to the National Finals and with the name of Askern once again heard from the stage."