BearPark and EshColliery Band

The present band was formed in 1950.

Although there was a colliery band in Esh Winning before the 2nd World War, the present band was formed in 1950 by eight men who each initially contributed £8 to start an instrument fund.

The next two years were spent raising money so that, with the help of the National Coal Board, they were able to purchase a set of second-hand instruments and thus form the Esh Winning Colliery Welfare Band. At this time the Cornsay Colliery Band folded, this enabled the newly formed band to fill the vacant instrumentation.

Immediately the band started the trail to success, which culminated in 1956 in an appearance in the finals of the Daily Herald National Brass Band Championships 4th Section held in London. To the immense surprise and jubilation they gained 1st place in this prestigious competition at their first attempt. Now promoted the 3rd Section they gained 1st place in the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) area contest in 1957 and two years later returned London take 1st place in Section 3 of the Championship.

By this time the second-hand instruments were suffering from “old-age” and in 1961 the Coal Board provided the band with a new set of instruments. During the 60’s the band continued to win success after success in the North-East competitions and to play the Esh Winning Colliery Banner into Durham on Durham Miners Gala Day. During the whole of this time the Band was ably supported by CISWO and the local miners lodge.

In 1968 disaster struck with the closure of Esh Winning Colliery, losing both financial support and the rehearsal hall in West Terrace. The band decided to “go it alone”, they found rehearsal premises in a small backroom in the Stags Head Hotel in Esh Winning, and increased their concert work load to raise money to cover running costs. After awhile they were allowed a concession by the Coal Board to return to the rehearsal hall in West Terrace, where they still remain today. In 1984 the band purchased the Old Chapel in West Terrace, Esh Winning. In order to survive much effort was placed on concerts to raise money, along with various other functions such as dances, sales of work and fayre’s, leaving less time to work for success in contests.

Despite this, the band reached Belle Vue Manchester twice – winning 4th place and then 1st place in the 4th Section bringing home the Daily Mail Challenge trophy in 1975, they also qualified and attended the National Finals in London on 2 occasions but failed to win a prize on either occasion.

In the 1970’s the band began to change its image. On the 17th May 1970 the band changed its name to Esh Colliery Band and earlier that year the old maroon uniform was replaced by the more serviceable black and grey combination you can still see today. In August 1971 the band commissioned a set of stand drapes, which are still in use today. Throughout all this period many people, too numerous to mention, supported the band in its quest for success.