The year of 2007 finished in fine style for Grimethorpe Colliery after they were declared the 4Barsrest Band of the Year courtesy of readers of the website.

Speaking to 4BR, Band Manager, Terry Webster commented 'Having been declared the 4BR Band of the Year in 2006 we were delighted once again to have been nominated and thrilled that 4BR readers decided that we were worthy of the title once again in 2007'.

In praise of Allan

Having been declared the 4BR Band of the Year in 2006 we were delighted once again to have been nominated and thrilled that 4BR readers decided that we were worthy of the title once again in 2007Terry Webster

Terry also praised the contribution of Professional MD Allan Withington with their successes on the contesting stage once again and congratulated him on being declared 4BR Conductor of the Year for the second year running. 'On behalf of everybody at Grimethorpe I would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to the band in the past 12 months and congratulate him on this further award'.

More accolades

It wasn't just in the Band of the Year and Conductor of the Year categories where Grimey received nominations. Soprano player, Kevin Crockford and the band's Principal Euphonium, Michael Dodd were nominated for Player of the Year; the CD Recordings, Classical Arrangements and Grimethorpe in Concert Volume 3 were short-listed for CD of the Year and their winning performance of Music for Battle Creek in the Contest Performance of the Year.

Not content with that, a selection of the band and Allan Withington received further accolades for being included in the 4BR Band of the Year for 2007.

'Congratulations go to Kevin and Michael for being nominated and to Elgar Howarth for his significant contribution to the CD Recording, Classical Arrangements; Richard Evans and Philip Harper for the latest Grimethorpe in Concert CD and its great that six of our players Roger Webster, Richard Brown and Dean Morley in addition to Joe Murray (who joined Grimethorpe in April but plays Principal Cornet with Sellers Youth) Kevin and Michael were nominated for the Band of the Year with the band again chosen to be led by Allan'.

Personnel changes

Looking ahead to a busy 2008 that will see the band challenge for the Europeans in Stavanger; defend their English National title and go for the hat-trick in London, Terry also confirmed a couple of personnel changes as the band gears up for the New Year. 'In addition to Arfon Owen replacing Martin Armstrong on Solo Horn, Nick Young from Hepworth (Cookson Homes) has joined the band on baritone replacing Jeff Lewis'.