Thoresby Colliery have announced major new signings and four sad losses as they build towards Butlins.

Losses

Band Chairman and rep player Rob Hanson has been forced to resign his position in the band due to work committments. Meanwhile the band
has parted company with Principal Cornet Pete Collins. Thoresby also lose Trev Smith who has decided to take a break from the band.

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Rob was the sort of player who never missed rehearsal or engagement and as Chairman put in an incredible amount of work. The band wish Rob well and he will be sorely missed at Thoresby.

Pete put in some cracking performances with Thoresby both on the contest and concert platforms and once again the band wish Pete well in all his future endeavours. Trev was another player who was ever present and will be greatly missed."

These are quality committed players that will all give 100% to the band and I delighted to welcome them all to Thoresby CollieryStan Lippeatt

New signings

The band has announced a number of new signings. Neil Day has returned to the band on Principal Cornet and is joined by Geoff Hawley on soprano.

Both Neil and Geoff are fabulous players and Thoresby are delighted to welcome them both back to the band they have served with such distinction in the past.

Other new faces at the band are Richard Day who joins the bands' front row,Phil Pearson comes in on 2nd Baritone, Steve Coxhead joins on 3rd Cornet and Mick Allen joins the Trombone Section. Finally father and son Glynn and Jake Thompson have joined on Bb flat bass and percussion respectively.

Welcome

MD Stan Lippeat welcomed all the new signings: "These are quality committed players that will all give 100% to the band and I delighted to welcome them all to Thoresby Colliery."

Meanwhile, flugel player Kate Clarke is now on maternity leave and the band are grateful to Mark Wardle for stepping in to cover in Kate's absence, whilst Keith Buxton is the bands' new chairman and Simon Willis steps into the Band Sergreant role as the band re-shuffle off the stage and on.

Departure

Finally the band report that one of their long-serving stalwarts Nigel Leadbeater has decided to hand up his trombone. Nigel was a loyal and hardworking member of Thoresby for over 20 years and will be greatly missed. The band would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel for all his years of dedication and hard work.

Butlins preperation

Ian McGelligott meanwhile makes the journey north again this weekend to team up with Thoresby to take the band to Butlins.

New Chairman Keith Buxton told 4BR: "As ever Stan has worked the band very hard in his meticulous preparation. He has done everything to ensure the band are ready for Ian to take over at the weekend. This has been a time of quite a few changes for the band and hopefully we will be much stronger as a result. We were very sorry to lose Rob Hanson and if I can be half as good a Chairman as Rob was then the band is in good hands."