In 2001 the band won an unprecedented 10^th victory at the 25^th Brass in Concert Championships conducted by Garry Cutt. The band had a virtual clean sweep at this contest also winning awards for : Best Soloist - Richard Marshall, Best Principal Cornet - Richard Marshall, Best Euphonium - Michael Dodd, Best Soprano - Nigel Fielding, Best new arrangement by Sandy Smith (Principal Horn of Grimethorpe) with "Another Fine Mess" performed by Grimethorpe with Michael Dodd and Shaun Hudson (the Euphoniums) donning Bowler hat and tails for an excellent representation of Laurel and Hardy even down to the Soft Shoe Shuffle Dance, which brought the House Down.

The band also picked up the Quality of Performance prize and the Entertainment and Presentation award with a perfect 60 marks out of 60.

In November 2001 the band started it's association with a new Professional Conductor, James Gourlay. The Band won the Mineworkers Championship in Blackpool for the 18^th Consecutive time which is the 27^th win in the competitions 39^th year and came second in the Area Qualifying Contest in Bradford in 2002 qualifying for the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall. James will be conducting the band at all the contests in 2002 with the exception of the Brass in Concert, which is to be conducted by Garry Cutt.

The band will be visiting Australia for the third time in three years in 2002 visiting all the major Cities on the east coast and a visit is planned to America in 2003 as part of there National Finals.

NEXT [2002 A retrospective view]