3 new (?) faces
A warm welcome is extended to David Brock. David joins our 2 other “returnees” -  Russ Vernon who has rejoined us on Solo Trombone, and Ged Hancock who rejoined the band earlier in the Summer to fill the Principal Euphonium chair following a few years playing at the very top level. Welcome to all. To have such a vastly experienced cornet player rejoining the front row can only enhance the section. David will be a tremendous asset to the band.

Congratulations to Malcolm, who was selected by the organisers of the Kiveton Contest to do the publicity shots for the event. To get the photograph Malc had to get himself and the Ebb to the top of the landscaped area on Kiveton Pit top. The result, - which can be seen on the Gallery Page along with a few other photo's from the day - is a superb photograph, which appeared in many of the local newspapers, giving the band and the event a publicity boost!

CD Launch (They have arrived !!!!!!) 
On Saturday 8th of May, following the Training Band rehearsal, the Band room was opened up for a launch of the CD and general get together and Bar-B-Q.

A description of the history behind the making of the CD, and a full track list can be found on the "100 Not Out!" page, and also on the Band's Facebook site. Should you wish to purchase a copy of the CD, - priced £7.50, please email your details in to the band, and we will get one to you. The CD is limited edition, and copies are going fast!  

2010 AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the band took place on Thursday 29th April in the Bandroom, and was done and dusted in 35 minutes! Hows that for efficiency!

Worksop Music & Drama Festival 2010
On Saturday 13th March two of our junior Training Band members showed what a talented group they belong to. Both Charlotte Green and Ellie Lunn competed in the Under 12yrs. Brass Solo Contest.

Ellie opened with a piano-accompanied Euphonium solo “Windmills” (arr. Boothroyd). This lovely piece allowed Ellie to show how well she manages this irreducible instrument and earned a well deserved 2nd Prize. 
First place honours went though to Charlotte Green with a magnificent rendition of “A Whole New World” (Menken). Once again piano-accompanied, Charlotte played her Tenor Horn with such tone, articulation and enthusiasm that it would be very easy to forget just how young she still is!  She went on to play in the Under 16yrs. Brass solo section where she showed such talent playing “The Trout” (Schubert), that she was able to compete unfazed with these older players. Both girls were a credit to themselves and the Band all evening and surely have a great playing future ahead. A huge well done and thanks to you for all your hard work, your Parents for their unending support and all who helped prepare for this prestigious Festival.

The whole Training Band will play in the Festival next Friday 19th March at 8.00pm.
A performance not to be missed!!!    

Yorkshire & Humberside Area Contest
Sunday 7th March saw the band into "Contest mode" once again! Rehearsals have gone very well and the grit and determination of the band shone through. 
Playing Saint Saens Variations by Philip Sparke, one of the most exciting and melodious 'Test Pieces' for a very long time and with promotion to the Third Section at stake, the stage was set for a very interesting weekend. Despite playing off a No. 1 draw (yet again!)  we put in a sterling performance – and were placed a creditable sixth place. This position was enhanced by the efforts (and heaps of talent ) of our Principal Cornet Andrew Stevenson who was awarded the Best Soloist prize – against some stiff competition. Well done Andrew.

With all results in, and calculations done, we find ourselves still sitting pretty as the highest ranked 4^th Section Band - with promotion to the 3^rd Section next January in the bag.
Well done to all - a very successful campaign!!!!!

 Success at Butlins Mineworkers Open Music Festival
Saturday the 23rd January 2010
After a well fought battle between 13 of the top 4th Section bands, playing Leigh Bakers Gladiatorial test piece Roman Tryptich, Thurcroft Welfare Band secured 3^rd prize at the contest – held once again at the Skegness resort; To date this is the best placed finish for the band at this contest since it’s revival at Skegness. A really pleasing result and a great platform from which to launch our bid for The Areas in March!!!

And Following On!!!!!
They say that success follows success, and in our case it certainly does! Following on from our successful grant application to the Arts Council in September, which enabled us to commission the two new Marches from Darrol Barry, we have now been awarded a sizeable five figure sum by Rotherham Metropolitan  Borough  Council to provide 10 new 'lower end' instruments for our training band. This means from January 2010 we are able to offer training and development - on any instrument - to any young person who wishes to learn to play.
This is a fantastic leap forward for our training band who have already made great progress in 2009. If you live in or around the Rotherham area and wish to be part of our training band in 2010 please make initial contact through 01709 544588 or simply come along to the band room, at the top of West Street, Thurcroft Saturday mornings 9.30 - 10.30 am.

It goes without saying that we are very grateful to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for the grant and to Lucy Vernon who completed all the paperwork.

Training Band hit the right note again!!
After many previous promises the training band have finally performed at Larwood Community  Centre. As usual their dedication and professional approach wowed the very discerning crowd. The new march "100 Not Out!" had its first outing and was very well received. Well done to all !!!

HERE IT IS THEN!
    “Thurcroft Centenary March” has finally had its first outing, to rapturous applause from the Beighton audience. This new composition by Mr Darrol Barry is "Dedicated to the memory of Thurcroft Colliery and all who worked there"

    When we saw the score it looked really exciting and we worked hard to make it "our own piece". What a fantastic opening to a truly momentous concert!

    Sincere thanks to the Arts Council England (Grants for the Arts).The grant which funded this commission will also fund the new CD, due to be recorded in March 2010, and Thurcroft Centenary March will be featured on there. Mr Barry has also composed a March for the Training Band 
(We could not leave them out could we?) 
    Called 100 Not Out!  It is definitely a 'foot tapper' with a really catchy melody. The training band are already well on with preparing this brand new March for next Season. 

Our sincere thanks go to all concerned with the hard work that has gone into this project; especially to Graham Boag for the introduction; Arts Council England for the funding, Darrol Barry for writing the pieces, and of course Nigel for putting it all together. 

Good Times. There it was then!