The Desford Colliery Band is conducted on this 1973 vinyl recording by Ernest Woodhouse. Woodhouse was the conductor of the world famous Cresswell Colliery Band.
The roots of the Desford colliery band go back as far as 1898 when many of the Desford colliery workers played in the Ibstock United Band. The band flourished during the 1920s and 1930s and in 1956 became the Desford Colliery Welfare Band. Support from the coal industries social welfare organisation, and a succession of dedicated conductors, led the band to the championship winning status they enjoyed in the 1980s.
Colliery bands played an important role in mining communities and were often supported by a levy on wages. The band provided relaxation and entertainment to the community and represented the pit in national and regional competitions.
