World-famous Black Dyke Band to play special Nottingham charity concert

The world renowned Black Dyke Band will be performing a special one-off concert at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham next month in aid of the Urostomy Association.
The Black Dyke Band is playing a special concert in Nottingham in aid of the Urostomy Association next monthThe Black Dyke Band is playing a special concert in Nottingham in aid of the Urostomy Association next month
The Black Dyke Band is playing a special concert in Nottingham in aid of the Urostomy Association next month

This special event is the brainchild of the Urostomy Association’s chairman, Brian Fretwell.

Brian said: “My wife, Glynis, and I were brought up in the midst of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coalfield and both had brass bands instilled into us from a very early age.

Glynis’ dad played for Langwith and Thoresby Colliery bands and I was brought up listening to Creswell Colliery Band twice each week.

My parents ran the miners’ welfare at Creswell and, as we lived on the premises, I could not escape the melodious tones of the band practicing in the concert room.

“We have both been supporters of the brass band movement for more years than we care to remember and regularly attend concerts.

“In 2011, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent a bladder removal operation.

“At that time I got a lot of help from the Urostomy Association.

“The Urostomy Association was set up in 1971 to help people in a similar situation to me and relies on fund-raising events to raise money.

“When I became chairman of the charity’s National executive committee, my wife and I thought we could put our interest in brass bands to good use and benefit the association at the same time.”

Brian chose to approach the Black Dyke Band for this showcase concert as it is long established as one of the best in the country, having won the European Championships 13 times, most recently in 2015, the British Open no fewer than 30 times, most recently in 2014, and the National Championships of Great Britain 23 times.

The Black Dyke Band are current Yorkshire Regional Champions and this year finished runners-up at the European finals in France.

The last time the band performed at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham was in 2003 with the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Eric Ball.

This latest special concert takes place on Saturday, June 4 at 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £20 (plus booking fee), with all profits going to the Urostomy Association are available from the Box Office on 0115 9895555 or online at www.trch.co.uk

For more information about the Urostomy Association and the help and support it provides, visit the website at www.urostomyassociation.org.uk or go to their Facebook page