Bestwood Welfare Black Diamonds Brass Band
Encyclopedia
The Bestwood Welfare Black Diamonds Brass Band, colloquially the Bestwood Black Diamonds (or even the Bestwood Band), is an old and well-known brass band
based in the village of Bestwood in the north of Nottingham
.
The band was formed in 1947 and was originally known as the Bestwood Black Diamonds Colliery Band; the name ‘Black Diamonds’ comes from the coal
that was brought up from the Bestwood Colliery. Apparently when it was washed and broken it glistened like diamonds, and was a very high-quality coal.
The band rehearsed in the old Lamp Cabin, where miners used to leave their pit lamps and tags, but the pit eventually shut around 1967. The band continued to rehearse in the Lamp Cabin, however, until the workshops then closed. The band were offered various rehearsal spaces around Bestwood, notably St Mark’s Church and the Welfare, before they were offered a permanent home within the Community Centre
in the village.
Due to their rehearsals in the Welfare, the band added the word "Welfare" to their title. Despite now rehearsing in the Community Centre, the band still has links with the Welfare.
The band originally contested in many brass band competitions, but during the 1990s it began to rapidly decrease in numbers until there were approximately six to eight members remaining. By the early 2000s, however, interest in the band was rebuilt, and - partly due to the students from the University of Nottingham
and Nottingham Trent University
- more players began to come in. As the band's numbers increased, they invited their former Euphonium
player Brian Draper
to conduct the band. He remains the conductor to this day.
The band often play concert
s in and around Nottingham
, occasionally in aid of a charity
. In addition, the band has recently started contesting again, competing mostly in entertainment contests, but often playing fourth section test pieces in more official competitions such as the Butlins
Mineworkers Championship, and the brass band "Areas". Although they have not yet come first in anything, the band hope that their increased numbers bode well for the future.
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
based in the village of Bestwood in the north of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
The band was formed in 1947 and was originally known as the Bestwood Black Diamonds Colliery Band; the name ‘Black Diamonds’ comes from the coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
that was brought up from the Bestwood Colliery. Apparently when it was washed and broken it glistened like diamonds, and was a very high-quality coal.
The band rehearsed in the old Lamp Cabin, where miners used to leave their pit lamps and tags, but the pit eventually shut around 1967. The band continued to rehearse in the Lamp Cabin, however, until the workshops then closed. The band were offered various rehearsal spaces around Bestwood, notably St Mark’s Church and the Welfare, before they were offered a permanent home within the Community Centre
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
in the village.
Due to their rehearsals in the Welfare, the band added the word "Welfare" to their title. Despite now rehearsing in the Community Centre, the band still has links with the Welfare.
The band originally contested in many brass band competitions, but during the 1990s it began to rapidly decrease in numbers until there were approximately six to eight members remaining. By the early 2000s, however, interest in the band was rebuilt, and - partly due to the students from the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
and Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University is a public teaching and research university in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It was founded as a new university in 1992 from the existing Trent Polytechnic , however it can trace its roots back to 1843 with the establishment of the Nottingham Government School of Design...
- more players began to come in. As the band's numbers increased, they invited their former Euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
player Brian Draper
Brian Draper
Brian G. Draper is a British brass band musician and conductor. He currently judges brass band contests around the Midlands as well as conducting the Bestwood Welfare Black Diamonds Brass Band....
to conduct the band. He remains the conductor to this day.
The band often play concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s in and around Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, occasionally in aid of a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
. In addition, the band has recently started contesting again, competing mostly in entertainment contests, but often playing fourth section test pieces in more official competitions such as the Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
Mineworkers Championship, and the brass band "Areas". Although they have not yet come first in anything, the band hope that their increased numbers bode well for the future.