Virtual band practice keeps Colliery brass band tradition alive during lockdown

Easington Colliery Brass Band has had to put its sessions on hold due to the restrictions to try and stop the spread of coronavirus.

But to make sure they are keeping on top of their skills, its 28 members were set the challenge of performing – on film from the comfort of their own homes.

Musical director Danny Brooks sent each a click track to help keep time and their part to play.

He then pieced it all together to build a finished video performance of Gresford (The Miners’ Hymn) and Blaydon Races.

The video has been shared via the band’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel, with more clips in the pipeline.

Band secretary Peter Lawson, who plays tuba, can be seen ‘turning off’ his screen last in the video.

He said: “With it being so quick that the band had to stop coming together, all our music has been packed away.

“We didn’t want everyone to be stuck at home, stagnating with no rehearsal, and we don’t know how long this is going to go on for, it could be the death knell for banding.

“There are lots of ways the band can still get together, like Zoom, and it’s nice to still be able to have a chat and keep the music going.

“The band’s been going for 105 years and we need it to continue.

“Gresford is a big tradition, it’s the Miner’s Hymn, and we are a colliery band, and we did Blaydon Races as a song for the North East.”

The virtual show comes as the band continues to plan the regeneration of its base on Abbot Street in the village into a better bandroom, as well as a place for other groups to meet and a cafe.

A series of grants have been awarded to support the regeneration of the Old Pay Office, where colliery workers once collected their wages.

Its sponsor Michael Watt, an international entrepreneur and co-owner of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, has also reaffirmed his support of the group.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.