LeicsCoopBand History

The Leicestershire Co-op Band is based in Coalville, Leicestershire and is currently competing at the top end of the Second Section. The Band is an amalgamation of the Leicestershire Co-op (South Midlands Welfare) Band, originally a colliery based band formed in 1971 and Charnwood Brass, from Loughborough. The two Bands, both with a shortage of members, joined forces in November 1999 to create a full complement and secure our long term future.

The Band performs throughout the year at various local events, including charity, school and church concerts, headlining at North West Leicestershire District Councils ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, as well as organising our own concerts.

Some of the recent achievements include qualifying for the National Finals in 2002 and 2006, promotion to the Third Section in 2003, promotion to the Second Section in 2008, and winning our home association contest in 2004 and 2005.

2007 was a very successful year for the band with a contest win at the North East Midlands Brass Band Association contest held in Derby. Immediately following this was the result of 4th place at the Midlands Regional Contest, securing the bands promotion to the second section in 2008.

We have invested in the future of the band by the creation of our own training band in 2006. The training band offers anyone in the community the chance to learn to play a brass instrument. This benefits the local community as there is little brass tuition within the local schools and hopefully assuring a future for the brass band movement.
The band is directed by our resident conductor – Graham Jacklin

Leamington Spa Contest – 2005 - 3rd
Leicester Association Contest - 2005 - 1st
Leicester Association Contest - Best instrumentalist – Steve Barham - Euphonium
Pontins - 2005 - 6th
Weston Super Mare – 2005 - 3rd
Midlands Regional Contest -2005 - 8th
N.E.M.B.A Contest – Derby - 2005 - 1st
Leicester Association Contest – 2004 - 1st
Midlands Regional Contest -2004 - 6th
Midlands Regional Contest -2003 - 6th
Promotion to Third Section - 2003
National Finals – Torquay – 2002 - 9th (4th Section)
Midlands Regional Contest -2002 - 2nd (4th Section)

• Butlins Contest - 4th place out of 12 bands) - A Royal Mile Suite
• N.E.M.B.A Contest – Derby - 1st place out of 6 bands - Entertainments
• N.E.M.B.A Contest – Derby - Best Principal Cornet (For all Sections) – Nick Lear
• Midlands Regional Contest - 2nd Place out of 17 bands) - Entertainments
• Weston Super Mare - 8th place out of 10 bands - Variations on a Ninth

On Thursday 18th November 1999 at a presentation evening held at the Snibston Discovery Park, Coalville, the Leicestershire Co-operative (S.M.W.) Band and Charnwood Brass were officially merged as one band. The new name for the band will be the: Leicestershire Co-op Snibston Charnwood Brass.

The evening celebrations were opened by the band Chairman, Jim Ball, who has been involved with the running of the band for over 20 years with his wife, Joan, who is the band secretary. Miss Betty Anderson, President of the Leicestershire Brass Band Association unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion. It was only two weeks since the combined band played under it's former name and won first prize in the forth section of the Mineworkers National Brass Band contest at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Following the official unveiling, the band performed a Celebratory Concert conducted by their resident Musical Director, Graham Sutton, featuring a selection of music including the third movement of the winning Blackpool Contest piece, Four Impressions for Brass. The evening was complemented with food, wine and a special celebratory cake, all of which were prepared by the band committee members headed up by the Assistant Secretary, Jane Green.

The band has a full calendar of concerts and events for the Christmas period and are looking forward to future contesting successes into the 21st Century.