Michael Fowles has told 4BR that he "deeply saddened"that he has taken the decision to resign from his role as Musical Director of Desford Colliery Band.

"I am deeply saddened and thank the superb players for six wonderful years of working together in an unique but always stimulating musical way."

Success

Taking on the role in 2016, Mike re-establish the band as a major contesting force, leading them to the lucrative Butlins Mineworkers Championships title in 2019, the first time they had won it since 2010.

In addition, they also claimed the Midlands Area title in the same year — the first time since 2012. The latter success was repeated in 2022.

Under his baton the band also returned impressive performance at the British Open, including top-six finishes in 2016 and 2019 and a brace of solid top-ten finishes at the National Finals in 2019 and 2022.