A long established brass band is to start a new training arm, after receiving grant funding from Bassetlaw District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Harworth Brass is to expand its reach to encourage new members from the age of eight upwards to join them, under the direction of Margaret Rawlings.

Visits to schools form part of the plans to engender new interest, as the band uses the grant cash to buy new music stands, instruments, and music.

"The desire to learn how to play music is key,” said the band secretary. “It’s an exciting opportunity for youngsters to get involved, and hopefully will enrich the community.

Harworth Brass is set to expand its reach by re-starting its junior section.

placeholder image — Harworth Brass is set to expand its reach by re-starting its junior section.

"It’s not just about the music. By learning to play within a band young people also learn how to work as a team, and mix with people of different ages, from varied walks of life.”

The musical director added, “We use up-to-date arrangements, with modern music that people can identify with.”

Harworth Brass evolved alongside the mining industry in Harworth and Bircotes, and has been at the heart of the local community for over a century.

Records show the band being formed in 1920 as Harworth Colliery Band, then as sponsorships and affiliations changed, so did the band’s name.

Like many colliery bands, Harworth Brass faced significant challenges as the coal industry declined, and by the mid-2000s the future of the band was uncertain.

Falling membership placed the future of the band in jeopardy.

But the Junior Band became the driving force, and in many ways, the foundation for the rebirth of the senior organisation.

Those young musicians gradually rebuilt the main band from within and today, Harworth Brass is flourishing.

Building on this success, the new Training Band will help to ensure that the tradition will continue for future generations.

Local Councillors Lynne Schuller and Joe Horrocks are supporting the 28-member band through their Councillor Community Grants of £500, and County Cllr Hana John has contributed £850.

Harworth Brass rehearses each Thursday from 7.15pm to 9.15pm at Harworth and Bircotes Town Hall, and it is hoped that the new training band sessions will run from 6pm to 7pm on Thursdays from September.

Anyone interested in joining the sessions should register their interest at www.harworthbrass.co.uk/trainingband