MineArchive
Easington Colliery Band
| Category | Music |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1913 or 1915: founded. 1940: National Fire Service band. 1956: reverts to Easington Colliery. 1993: the colliery closes. 2022: Firm as a Rock in Durham Cathedral. 2024: North of England champions. 2025: on Sam Fender's People Watching. |
Easington Colliery Band, founded in 1913 or 1915, was the band of Easington Colliery, County Durham, until the pit closed in 1993, and has kept its name and its place among the country's leading bands: North of England champions in 2024, and on Sam Fender's 2025 album.
The mining history in this record
The band was formed in the colliery village before the First World War, in 1913 by one account and 1915 by another. In 1940 it became the National Fire Service band; after the war it amalgamated with the Easington Public band, and in 1956 it took the name Easington Colliery again, competing in the National Coal Board's Durham Area contests.
After the pit closed in 1993 the band carried on, later with the backing of the philanthropist Michael Watt.
People
Michael Watt, sponsor.
Legacy today
The band plays in the Championship section and represented the north at the National Championships after winning the North of England title in 2024. It has played with Dave Stewart, with the poet laureate Simon Armitage's band LYR in Durham Cathedral, and on Sam Fender's 'Remember My Name', accompanying him before 230,000 people at London Stadium and St James' Park.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each tagged with how solidly it's grounded and attached to the source(s) that support it. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Easington Colliery Band was founded in 1915 and was the colliery's band until the pit closed in 1993. (documented fact, disputed) 1
- The band was formed in 1913 as Easington Colliery. (documented fact, disputed) 2
- It became the National Fire Service band in 1940, amalgamated with Easington Public after the war, and reverted to the name Easington Colliery in 1956. (documented fact) 2
- The band plays in the Championship section and was North of England champion in 2024. (documented fact) 1
- In 2023 it played on Sam Fender's 'Remember My Name' and later accompanied him at London Stadium and St James' Park. (documented fact) 1
Mines
- Easington Colliery — County Durham
The band was Easington Colliery's own from its founding until the pit closed in 1993, and still carries its name.
Sources
- (secondary) Easington Colliery Band — Wikipedia
- (secondary) Easington Colliery Band — Brass Band Results
Record created: 4 October 2026 · Last researched: 4 October 2026