Spennymoor Town Band will represent the North East at the National Mineworkers Championship after raising £3,000 and receiving a last-minute donation from Newton Aycliffe firm Crafter’s Companion.
The brass band has been holding concerts and arranging fundraising events to reach their £3,500 target, which will cover the cost to attend the national competition in Skegness next January.
Upon hearing that the band had raised £3,000, Sara Davies MBE, founder and creative director of Crafter’s Companion, helped them to achieve their target by donating £500.
Spennymoor Town Band, formerly The Whitworth Band, can be traced back to the 19th century and is one of the oldest brass bands in the country.
Today, the band offers free tuition to anyone wanting to learn how to read music and play an instrument.
It currently has 40 members in its first band and youth band, with ages ranging from 10 to 82.
Last year, the band represented the North East at the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain.
Hugh Stephenson, vice president of the band, said “We are delighted with this very kind donation from Sara and everyone at Crafter’s Companion.
“As a former mineworkers’ band, we are privileged to be attending the National Mineworkers Championship, which helps preserve our wonderful mineworking and brass band heritage.
“We have worked hard to raise the funding required to attend so to receive such a generous amount to help us on our way is fantastic.
“It’s also great to be able to take some of the younger members of our band to help us represent our fantastic region at this national competition.”
Sara Davies added: “As a business, it’s really important to help to support local causes and to celebrate our region’s successes.
“Brass bands such as Spennymoor Town represent an integral part of North East heritage so it’s fantastic that they are able to keep this wonderful tradition alive.
“I am thrilled that the band is able to compete in another national competition and wish them the best of luck for next January!”
