Graham Thomas, been awarded a Long Service Award by the North East Midlands Brass Band Association for 22 years dedicated service to the brass band movement in the North East Midlands region

Over two decades

Graham has been Band President of Thoresby Colliery Band and long serving Band Managers’ of Thoresby Colliery, Creswell Colliery, St. Mary’s School, Blidworth Welfare and Welbeck Estates Bands ever since he came to the Midlands from Wales over 20 years ago.

After seven years as Band Manager, Graham was last week appointed Band President, his wife Anne, Vice President, in recognition of his services to Thoresby Colliery Band4BR

Life long follower

Graham, who has been a life long follower of the brass band movement but never a player, originates from Gwent in South Wales and moved to the North East Midlands in 1983 where his son Owen learned to play the Cornet with the Welbeck Estates Band.

Path of bands

Graham and Owen continued through their path of local brass bands — Owen as a player and Graham as Committee member or Band Manager until in 2002, when Graham and Owen moved to Thoresby Colliery Band, where Graham continued his dedicated service to the movement and where he remains committed to this day.

President

After seven years as Band Manager, Graham was last week appointed Band President, his wife Anne, Vice President, in recognition of his services to Thoresby Colliery Band.