Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band

The Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band is a brass band based in West and close to South Yorkshire.

History

The South Elmsall Village Brass Band can be traced back to humble beginnings in 1884. In 1905, the band was adopted by the local Frickley Colliery, which in turn was to become owned by the Carlton Main Coal Company, and by 1923 the band became known by its present name. The reputation of the Band flourished and continued to build upon its reputation of being a first class outfit and one which not only rose to challenge the very best bands of the day, but become one of the best known and best regarded bands in the world.Despite this great heritage, by the mid 1990s times looked very bleak for the band, as it did for a great many other bands and working personnel in the mining industry, with the eventual closure of the pits in the UK and with Frickley Colliery in particular. It was at this time due to the closure and subsequent unemployment that the band was down to only six members, and close to extinction. However, due to the tenacity and the desire of those remaining members, the band was rebuilt and in a few short years by 1999, became Yorkshire Champions and represented Yorkshire at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Championships

During the band’s long and successful history, it has both competed and triumphed at many of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Most notably, the band has held the titles of European Champions (in the 1960s), National Champions, British Open Champions, Granada TV Band of the Year, BBC Best of Brass Champions, Spring Festival Grand Shield Champions & Yorkshire Area Champions. In addition, the Band’s Quartet group have had the honour of being British Open Quartet Champions in 2003 and 2005.The bands most recent achievements include being awarded 6th place at the prestigious British Open Brass Band Contest where they were the second highest placed Yorkshire band on the day, beaten only by the eventual winners, the Black Dyke Band.

Broadcasting

The band has appeared on TV and radio countless times, and many may remember their appearance on "Top of the Pops" in 1981 accompanying Tony Capstick, with "The Sheffield Grinder; Capstick comes home"; a partnership which saw them rise to number three in the hit parade.

Personnel

The band count themselves fortunate to have many truly world class musicians in their ranks including the multi award winning Principal Cornet player, Kirsty Abbotts whose many awards have included Cornet Champion of Great Britain.Musical Directors include Russell Gray; one of the all time great cornet players and a conductor who holds National titles in Great Britain, Japan, France, Switzerland and Norway to name a few.

ee also

* Grimethorpe Colliery Band - closely related to Carlton Main Colliery.

External links

* [http://www.carltonmain.co.uk Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band]
* [http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/bguk/Leisure_Culture/Libraries/Local%20Societies/Carlton%20Main%20Frickley%20Colliery%20Band.htm Information at Barnsley Council]

Notes