Grimethorpe Colliery Band have announced to 4BR that they have re-signed Dr Roger Webster in a bid to regain the form and contest success enjoyed in their recent past.

Innovative

The band management, along with James Fountain, who has been principal cornet since May 2011 and Roger Webster, have discussed the situation and have jointly taken the innovative initiative of retaining James as co-principal.

Commenting on the situation, Nigel Dixon, Grimethorpe's Band Manager told 4BR: "With James starting music college this year, coupled with the commitments of a busy band such as Grimethorpe, this new role with slightly less pressure under the guidance of Roger will enable him to develop further."

James is probably the most exciting signing Grimethorpe has made for a long time, and it is important to protect and nurture such a young talent.Roger Webster

Nurture

Roger was fulsome in his praise for James as the band looks to the future.

"James is probably the most exciting signing Grimethorpe has made for a long time, and it is important to protect and nurture such a young talent," he told 4BR.

"He will have a busy schedule at college in his first couple of terms, so will need time to settle in. Bands like Grimethorpe can be quite brutal at times, but this way, he will have all the space he needs to grow and mature."

Watch this space

Roger added: "All I can say is watch this space. The new management at Grimethorpe have had a long hard look at the band’s history and realise that while some traditions are worthy of preserving, other traditions are yet to be made — this being one."

A spokesperson added to 4BR that Roger Webster's departure from the band a few years ago was well documented, but now with a new management team in place, the band’s future looks both healthy and interesting.