Cash boost for Colliery Band...

Dinnington Colliery Band, which featured in a 2010 BBC documentary about the plight of brass bands, has received the money through donations from the public made via the website www.easyfundraising.org.uk

The band has struggled financially since closure of the town’s colliery in 1992.

And the cash will help fund its Saturday morning training sessions, which offer free instruments and tuition for anyone who wants to learn to play.

Band manager and spokeswoman Joanne Brookes-Wright said: “Brass bands across the country are struggling to survive, particularly as there are so many other activities for youngsters, but being able to run our training band helps us to keep alive.”

The band’s Easyfundraising page will remain open for further donations.

The cash boost comes hot on the heels of a festival win in April.

The musicians and their director brought home another trophy to add to their collection from the Buxton Brass Band Festival, fighting off some strong competition,.

They played against ten bands in the third section competition to emerge in first place.

It was a real achievement for the band, who have only recently been promoted from being a fourth section band to the third section.