Dinnington colliery band
Dinnington Colliery Band
Kay Brookes and Joan Herdman
A brass band was formed in Dinnington, in 1904, by a group of miners, who had come down from Durham to work at the pit. The Lord of the Manor, Squire Middleton Athorpe, gave them money for instruments etc. This original band was called The Middleton Silver Prize Band and they rehearsed in one of the out buildings of Dinnington Hall. In later years they dropped Silver Prize from their name and became known as the Middleton Band, until they received sponsorship from the Colliery of 1p per man, when their named changed to what it is today, Dinnington Colliery Band.
In April 1950 the Bandmaster, George Sykes and his brother Wilf, decided to start a Junior Band with spare instruments. Local children from Dinnington, Laughton and Thurcroft went along to Dinnington Hall, where practices were held once a week in the pigeon loft!
In the following year, the band built its own bandroom on half a council allotment, where it still stands today behind the market. Monies were initially provided by one of the bandsmen, who was repaid as the money was earned. This was done by all different means, but particularly by the hard-working ladies committee. In the 70's/80's the band was fortunate enough to gain sponsorship, for a number of years, from South Yorkshire Caravans and Webster Mining Machinery but never lost their DCB title and are one of the very few bands today that have kept colliery in its title.
In the 90's, Solo Horn Player, Joanne Brookes-Wright and the then current MD Toby Bannan, started a Training Band. This was slightly different to the old Junior Band, that was strictly for children, as it was for anyone, of any age, wishing to learn a brass instrument. Both lessons and instrument loan are free of charge. The Junior Band meets in the band room on Saturday mornings (details can be found on the web). Anyone interested please get in touch.
In 2009, the band were approached by the BBC to make a three-part TV series called, ‘Band For Britain' and as a result of this they made a CD with Decca records, which reached number one and stayed at number two for a number of weeks in the Classical Charts. This CD enabled the band to start a fund for a new bandroom, but at present they do not have enough in their fund and are hoping to get 'Match Funding' or sponsorship. If any business is interested do not hesitate to contact the band, all the details are on their website at www.dinningtoncollieryband.co.uk.
The band do a number of charity engagements throughout the year;
one of which is the Bluebell Wood Christmas Concert held at the Lyric Hall, Dinnington.
After the production of the CD, the band rose to great heights with their new, young MD, Jonathan Beatty, who did not have much conducting experience but a wealth of knowledge as a trombone player with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery band for 15 years. As in football, bands are graded and Dinnington was a 4th section band, in the 5 years Jonathan was with the band. They rose to the 2nd section, winning trophies every time they went out.
The current MD is Mr Lindon Bolt. Again, as with football, players leave and players move on and the band is now in the 3rd section. They are currently practicing hard for contests and concerts.
There has always been strong family connections within the band (i.e. the following families: - Holling, Hayden, Vaughan, Brookes, Herdman, Kennedy and Littlewood,) and still are to this day!
Kay Brookes is currently the longest serving member of the band, joining the Junior band in 1950 (but didn't take it seriously until some years later) and is currently playing Solo Baritone, a position she has held for a number of years.
Starting with the senior band at the age of 8, and holding the position of Principal Cornet (from the age of 16) for over 35 years, Sally Brookes has moved onto Soprano cornet and her sister, who joined the band age 9 and held Solo Horn for over 35 years, has moved onto EEB Bass as the band was short of bass players.
Penny Brookes who started with the band at the age of 9 on Flugel, held the seat for over 30 years, until she retired from playing 2 years ago.
Jess Marshall has been the Solo Euphonium for over 35 years, whilst Joan Herdman has been secretary since 1976 and is also the tuned Timpanist with the band.
Jamie Hollins, the Solo Trombone, who is now 24, came up through the Training Band as did the Littlewood family.
Kay Brookes and Joan Herdman
A brass band was formed in Dinnington, in 1904, by a group of miners, who had come down from Durham to work at the pit. The Lord of the Manor, Squire Middleton Athorpe, gave them money for instruments etc. This original band was called The Middleton Silver Prize Band and they rehearsed in one of the out buildings of Dinnington Hall. In later years they dropped Silver Prize from their name and became known as the Middleton Band, until they received sponsorship from the Colliery of 1p per man, when their named changed to what it is today, Dinnington Colliery Band.
In April 1950 the Bandmaster, George Sykes and his brother Wilf, decided to start a Junior Band with spare instruments. Local children from Dinnington, Laughton and Thurcroft went along to Dinnington Hall, where practices were held once a week in the pigeon loft!
In the following year, the band built its own bandroom on half a council allotment, where it still stands today behind the market. Monies were initially provided by one of the bandsmen, who was repaid as the money was earned. This was done by all different means, but particularly by the hard-working ladies committee. In the 70's/80's the band was fortunate enough to gain sponsorship, for a number of years, from South Yorkshire Caravans and Webster Mining Machinery but never lost their DCB title and are one of the very few bands today that have kept colliery in its title.
In the 90's, Solo Horn Player, Joanne Brookes-Wright and the then current MD Toby Bannan, started a Training Band. This was slightly different to the old Junior Band, that was strictly for children, as it was for anyone, of any age, wishing to learn a brass instrument. Both lessons and instrument loan are free of charge. The Junior Band meets in the band room on Saturday mornings (details can be found on the web). Anyone interested please get in touch.
In 2009, the band were approached by the BBC to make a three-part TV series called, ‘Band For Britain' and as a result of this they made a CD with Decca records, which reached number one and stayed at number two for a number of weeks in the Classical Charts. This CD enabled the band to start a fund for a new bandroom, but at present they do not have enough in their fund and are hoping to get 'Match Funding' or sponsorship. If any business is interested do not hesitate to contact the band, all the details are on their website at www.dinningtoncollieryband.co.uk.
The band do a number of charity engagements throughout the year;
one of which is the Bluebell Wood Christmas Concert held at the Lyric Hall, Dinnington.
After the production of the CD, the band rose to great heights with their new, young MD, Jonathan Beatty, who did not have much conducting experience but a wealth of knowledge as a trombone player with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery band for 15 years. As in football, bands are graded and Dinnington was a 4th section band, in the 5 years Jonathan was with the band. They rose to the 2nd section, winning trophies every time they went out.
The current MD is Mr Lindon Bolt. Again, as with football, players leave and players move on and the band is now in the 3rd section. They are currently practicing hard for contests and concerts.
There has always been strong family connections within the band (i.e. the following families: - Holling, Hayden, Vaughan, Brookes, Herdman, Kennedy and Littlewood,) and still are to this day!
Kay Brookes is currently the longest serving member of the band, joining the Junior band in 1950 (but didn't take it seriously until some years later) and is currently playing Solo Baritone, a position she has held for a number of years.
Starting with the senior band at the age of 8, and holding the position of Principal Cornet (from the age of 16) for over 35 years, Sally Brookes has moved onto Soprano cornet and her sister, who joined the band age 9 and held Solo Horn for over 35 years, has moved onto EEB Bass as the band was short of bass players.
Penny Brookes who started with the band at the age of 9 on Flugel, held the seat for over 30 years, until she retired from playing 2 years ago.
Jess Marshall has been the Solo Euphonium for over 35 years, whilst Joan Herdman has been secretary since 1976 and is also the tuned Timpanist with the band.
Jamie Hollins, the Solo Trombone, who is now 24, came up through the Training Band as did the Littlewood family.
Dinnington Colliery Band (Ref DCB 4)
Front Row L to R: Harry Spotwood, George Sykes Jnr, Terry Harris, ?, George Sykes Snr (MD), Roy Vernon, Bill Brearley, Brian Williams.
2nd Row L to R: Eric Wandsworth, Johnnie Swift, one of Fowkes brothers, Musgrave, Wilf Sykes
3rd Row L to R: ?, Dennis Holling, Nuke Wright, June Sykes, Enid Hart, Elaine Woollen, Ken Holling,?
Back Row L to R: Terry Holling,? , Julie Holling (nee Vernon), Barbara Sykes, ?, ?
Back Row L to R: - Non-player, non-player, Keith or Jeff Fowkes, Dennis and Terry Holling, June Sykes, Enid Hart, Elaine Woolen, Neuk Wright (President), non-player.
Middle Row: - Non-player, non-player, Eric Vaughan, ? , Billy Musgrave, ? , Danny Stanley, ? , ? , Cliff Musgrave , Fred Marsh, non-player.
Front Row: - Raymond West, ? , Roy Vernon, ? , Terry Harries, George Sykes Snr(M.D.), Bill Brearley, ? , ? , Harry Spotwood, Wilf Sykes.
Front Row:-
Julie Holling (nee Vernon), ? , ? , Alan Harries, ? , ? , Barbara Sykes.
4th R: - ?, ?, Ken Fawkes, Denise Hollings, Ken Hollings, Julie Sykes, Terry Fawkes, Enid Hart, Elaine Woolen, N Wright 3rd Row: - ?, ?, Eric Vaughan, Billy Musgrave, Brian Williams, Dan Stayley ,?,?,Mr Musgrave,?,?,
2nd R, Raymond Ray,?, Roy Vernon,?, Terry Harris, Bill Sykes, Bill Brearley,?,?, Harry Spotwood,?
1st R Julie Vernon, ?, Sandra Crooks?, Allen Harris, David Richardson,?, Terry Hollings, Barbara Sykes. (Ref DCB 6)
Dinnington Colliery Band in the late 50s
Front Row L to R: ?, ? Musgrave, Ken Wray, Joe Armstrong, Eric Wandsworth, ?, Roy Vernon, Bill Brearley.
Middle Row L to R: Julie Holling (nee Vernon) Terry Harries, Brian Williams, Dennis Holling, Terry Holling, Billy Hughes, Enid Hart, Billy Musgrave, Roy Roe, Keith (or Jeff) Fowkes, Harry Spotwood, Raymond Wray
Back Row L to R: Albert Wray, Mr Wray Snr , Ken Holling, Brian Steeple, Alan Harries (Ref DCB 10)
Front from L (faces that can be seen clearly)
Dennis Holling, one of Fowkes brothers, Albert Wray, Terry Holling, to the left of MD's L shoulder Eric Wadsworth, to the R of MD's R shoulder Danny Staley, Janet Holling, Cliff Musgrave (with glasses) Alan Harries, Enid Hart, Brian Steeple, Raymond Wray.
Back row left 3rd in is Ken Hollings, front left 3rd in is Roy Roe, next is Joe Wray, behind Joe on back row is Terry Harris, over Janet Hollings left shoulder on back row is John Swift. Conducting is musical director Joe Armstrong (Ref DCB 14)
Dinnington Colliery Band (ref DCB 5) Front Row L to R: Terry Harries, Danny Staley, Joe Armstrong (MD), ? , Roy Vernon.
2nd Row L to R: Roy Roe, Alan Harries, Enid Hart, Janet Holling, Elaine Woollen, Brian Williams, Harry Spotwood, ? , Raymond Wray.
3nd Row from back: Mr Wray, Albert Wray, Brian Steeple, Ken Holling, Terry Holling, ?Musgrave
Back Row from left: - Keith Fowkes, Eric Wadsworth, Dennis Holling, Colin Hayden, Ken Wray,? Musgrave (Ref DCB 15)
A concert at Sheffield City Hall c 1963.
Front Row L to R: Terry Harries, Danny Staley, ? , Roy Vernon
Second Row L to R: Roy Roe, Alan Harries, Enid (could be Elaine) Hart, Janet Holling, Elaine Woollen, Brian Daniels, Harry Spotwood, Raymond Ray
Third Row L to R: Mr Ray (Snr), Albert Ray, Keith Fowkes (could be Geoff ) Ken Holling, Terry Holling, Billy Musgrave, Ged Hancock
Fourth Row L to R: ?, Eric Wadsworth, Denis Holling, Colin Hayden, Ken Holling,
? Musgrave. ? .