This weekend has been a busy one for the band, with two performances at Esh Village (22nd June) and Wharton Park (23rd June). At Esh Village Summer Fete, the band had an enjoyable time entertaining the people who turned up. It was also great to see some many people supporting this event and also buying band raffle tickets for our Grand Raffle.

It was a hot afternoon entertaining a lovely crowd at Wharton Park as part of their summer brass series. A big thank you goes to Claire Hornsby for helping us out on Euphonium.

To view the photos from the two events, please select read more.

Today the band performed in the DCBBA March & Hymn Contest held at Beamish Museum. We played Ravenswood and Gresford (arranged by Sandy Smith). Although we were the only band who entered Section B, the remarks and verbal comments from Mike Kilroy were excellent and to help the band move forward to the National Finals in September. A massive thank you to all who helped us out today to make our appearance possible. We really do appreciate our dep friends a lot.

Today has seen the band perform in the wonderful surroundings of Ushaw College. This is one of our favourite local venues and we enjoyed entertaining the audeince with one of our most demanding programmes to date. We featured many of our fabulous soloists in the band and stepped into a big band set in the second half of the programme.

A massive thank you goes to our deps Steve, Mal, Tony, Pauline and Jimmy for helping us out today. Also, a big thank you goes to Steve Robson for organising the Brass Series at Ushaw. 

The photos from the concert can be seen below.

The band have been entertaining the crowds in Durham Market Place today but we didn't manage to dodge the rain. Big thank you to all the general public who dug deep and filled our buckets which goes towards the day to day running of the band. Also a massive thank you to Walker and Sons for supporting the band with reduced price tea and coffee's. We really appreciate it.

Today's job also saw the first job for our newest member, Jonathan, who has joined us on Principal Euphonium. We hope you have a long and happy time with us all.

The band hosted its first fundraising night for the National Finals last night and what a great night it was. Lots of bets were placed and a staggering £305.80 was raised to go into the pot. A massive thank you to everyone who came a long to support the band and to Waterhouses Village Hall for letting us host our race night there.

We managed to dodge the rain while playing in Prince Bishops Shopping Centre this morning. A big thank you to all the general public who dug deep and put money into our buckets and a massive thanks must go to the The Picnic Basket for offering free cups of tea and coffee to the band. Also, a thank you goes to our deps Paul, Chris and Harriet who helped us out today. Your help is very much appreciated.

Today the band has competed in the North of England Brass Band Championships in the 3rd Section & have become champions and has a place now at the National Finals at Cheltenham in September. Nicola Evans picked up the shield for Best Soprano Cornet and also the percussion section won the Best Percussion trophy. 

It has been a fabulous team effort from all the band which if we have worked the numbers out properly, the band are promoted back to the 2nd section (to be confirmed by the Area Committee). 

The band had a very productive day preparing for the North of England Area next week. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section and taking on First Suite in Eb. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our latest signings Fabio Sousa who joins us on 1st Trombone, and Lynne Thomson who joins us on 2nd horn ahead of next weekend. 
A big thank you also goes to Graeme Tindall and Adam Reed who have been working with the band in the last couple of weeks and took sectionals today, along with our conductor Phillip for his ongoing time and committment to the band and also Pittington Primary for the use of the school to host our workshop.

The band participated in the Durham County Brass Band Association Festival of Brass contest today at East Durham College, Peterlee today. We participated in Section B and managed to come in 1st Place Overall. Our Principal Cornet player, Michael Evans picked up the best Cornet trophy and Iain McNeil picked up the trophy for the best Bass Trombone. The first image below is of our chairman, Lindsey Rowell receiving our 1st Place trophy from the adjudicator, Mr Alan Fernie. Congratulations goes to Kippax who came 2nd and Jayess Newbiggin who came 3rd.

We had three new players join us to fill our ranks in preparation for today. Lucy Bramwell Dunn returns to the band after 10 years to help out on the Baritone section. Connor Martin joins us on 1st Trombone and Diane Cooper joins the band 2nd Cornet. 

A big thank you must go to Graeme Tindale for helping with our rehearsals and preparation when Phillip was stuck at work and of course Phillip for his dedication and enthusiasm in making the band sound better and for also getting his first win and trophy as a musical director.

To see the images from the day, click read more below.

The third and final weeks' worth of Christmas jobs has seen the band play at four jobs. The first job was alongside the Crook & Weardale Choral Society on Tuesday evening (18th December). The audience were wowed by a mix of tradition and up tempo music from both the band and the choir. The band also featured our Solo Horn player Lindsey playing Alan Fernie's arrangement of In The Bleak Midwinter. The band's programme finished with a new piece called Christmas Finale. would like to say a big thank you to Steve, Fiona, Jimmy, Adam and Becky for helping us out tonight. We really do appreciate your help and support.

On Thursday and Friday (20th & 21st December) the band played outside of Sainsbury's at The Arnison Centre. The band would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who dug deep in their pockets to put something in our collection buckets. 

Saturday saw the final band job of the Christmas season and of 2018 

Click read more to see the photos and videos from this week's jobs. They run in chronological order from the week's jobs.

The second weeks worth of Christmas jobs has seen the band play at two jobs. The first job was at Quebec Village Hall on Friday (14th December). It was great to see so many people turn out to hear the band and enjoy their mince pies and mulled wine. Thanks must also go to David & Jimmy for helping us out, your help is very much appreciated.

On Saturday (15th December) the band played at The Dairy Barn, North Bitchburn. As much as it was very windy and awfully cold, the band played inside of a gazebo and enjoyed the afternoon. 

Click read more to see the photos and videos from this week's jobs. They run in chronological order from the week's jobs.

The first full week of December has seen the band play at two jobs. The first job was at a very busy Beamish Museum on Friday (7th December)

On Saturday (8th December), the band played at Langley Park's Christmas Fair at the Miners Institute Hall.

Click read more to see the photos and videos from these two

The first weekend of December has seen the band play at three jobs. The first job was at a very wet and soggy Durham Christmas Festival. A big thank you to everyone who dug deep and put something in our collecting buckets and an even bigger thank you to our collectors who braved the rain to stand and hold a bucket. Thanks must also go to David for helping us out.

On Saturday Night, the band played at Birtley Masonics as part of their fundraising Christmas meal 

On Sunday morning, the band played at Pittington School's Christmas Fayre. There was a full hall and the children enjoyed dancing to the Christmas music.

Click read more to see the photos and videos from these three jobs.

Today has seen the band play at a very busy Beamish Museum. The general public and staff around the bandstand were very appreciative of the Christmas music and carols we played.

The band were very proud and honoured to take part in the Sunderland Remembrance Parade providing music alongside the Royal Signals (Northern) Band this morning. Thank you as always go to our helpers and friends of the band, David, Garry and Dave for boosting the ranks.

Below are Tonight has seen the band hold their Presentaton Evening at Redworth Hall. It was a fantastic night with a lovely meal, speeches, awards, bingo and a boogie on the dance floor. The band has also managed to raise an amazing £220 for the band funds from the bingo.

The Alan Beaumont Trophy for the Most Improved Player goes to Anna Bird, our 3rd Cornet player. Since joining the band, she has made great progress with her playing and has worked hard to get to where she is. Anna is building good foundations for moving up through the ranks.

The David Waterworth Trophy for the Player of the Year goes to Joanna Harrison. She has shown excellent dedication to the band and also stepped up to the mark on principal cornet for the League and Area Contests this year whilst Michael was out of action.

The Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band Trophy for Bandsperson of the Year (as voted for by the band members) was awarded to Ray Lee, our 2nd Euphonium player. As he wasn't at the presentation evening, he nominated Thompson to receive his award from our Life President, Dr. Bill Lamb. Below are some of the wonderful reasons why the band members voted for Ray.

The Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band Trophy for Most Improved Section was awarded to the Bass Section. Our conductor chose the basses for the progress they made preparing for the Area Contest and the solid foundations they are developing as a team. Helen, our Eb Bass player, was the only player available to collect the award.

Valerie Craig was awarded with her 5 years service

Lindsey Rowell & Daniel Maitre were both awarded with their 10 years service  (If Lindsey hadn't broken her service with the band when she lived away, she would have clocked up 25 years service. Daniel was unable to attend tonight, so he nominated Helen to receive his award).

Alan Beaumont was awarded with his 20 years service. Alan, our principal percussionist, is a loyal and dedicated member of the band who does a lot behind the scenes. He is our resident composer and arranger who has written many fantastic pieces for the band.

Finally, Marion Waterworth (the band's secretary) was awarded with her 50 years service, with 26 of them being in the secretary role. Marion is such a loyal and dedicated member who ensures professionalism on all levels. Not only keeping us all right, she also sorts out music and ensures the band has the reputation of being one of the most organised bands in the region.

To view the images from the night, please click read more.

The band played in Durham Market Place today.

Today has seen the band perform at Shadforth Show which also included their fabulous Scarecrow Trail. We played to a great audience and we even baked in the sun. A big thank you goes to David, Kath and Martin for helping us out today. We really appreciate the help.

It was a pleasure to catch up with Angelo Bearpark at Geneva Instruments' Bandroom Open Day today after quite a while.

During the band's exchange trip to Switzerland in 2010, Angelo met the Band (after a few entries on the Band's Guestbook prior) at one of the concerts which the Band performed at, along with playing with the Band. 

To read more about the band's exchange trip to Switzerland in 2010, click here