News

A BOOST in funding has secured the future of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Just a few weeks ago, we reported that the famous band was in real danger of closing after cuts in funding. You can read that story here.

Now, its future's looking promising after the band's manager, Nigel Dixon, said two separate donations had come to its rescue.

Founded in 1917 by workers from the local coal mine, it's survived narrowly on multiple occasions. Since the pit closure in 1993, it's relied on sponsorship money, but its main source ended in 2011.

The brass band was founded in Barnsley in 1917 by workers from the local coal mine.

''We had to practically shut the doors a couple of weeks ago - we couldn't see any way of continuing,” said Mr Dixon. ''We're all so relieved now.''

Plusnet, the phone and broadband provider, has pledged funding for two years. Its other donation came from Barnsley company A Shade Greener.