Pit brass band's delight at new instruments ready for Durham Miners' Gala

Easington Colliery Band has taken delivery of four Yamaha Neo tubas to replace their existing instruments, which were over 20 years old and well used.

The band committee have been working hard to secure grants and use existing funds to purchase the much-needed instruments and with the added help of funding coming from their generous sponsor Michael Watt, of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the instruments were then ordered through Band Supplies.

Band spokesman and principal B-flat bass player Richard Mason said: “The new Yamaha Neo Tuba is a pleasure to play and I would like to thank the organisations who helped fund the purchase and particularly Michael Watt our sponsor.”

The band say they would also like to thank the North East Miner’s Social Welfare Trust Fund, who provided a large chunk of the funding which will go a massive way to securing the band’s future for many years to come yet.

Formed in 1915, the band was supported by the miners of Easington Colliery until its closure in 1993.

The band is now mainly self supporting through playing concerts and charitable donations.

The next project for the group is to replace the horns and baritones, followed by a full set of new cornets.

Band chairman Jonathan Collins said he hopes this will be a reality by the middle of next year.

“We are working extremely hard on securing funding for more instruments as well as for our main project of totally refurbishing the band hall with a possibility of making it available in the future to other organisations that are based in the village,” said Jonathan.

The band will be appearing in many locations over the summer, including the Miners’ Gala on Saturday, July 9, and also aiming to retain their Durham County Brass Band Association Entertainment Contest title at Houghall College in Durham on Sunday, July 3.

The band play Easington Colliery Methodist Church on Monday, June 20, at 7.30pm, with tickets £3 on the door.