Changes after the War and George Thompson

A Lancashire man named Harry Mileman took over the band in 1947 following a short spell by George Hespe (well known for his brass band piece ‘The Three Musketeers’). Harry Mileman left the band at the start of its decline in 1951 but with the help of Bill Foster and Joe Armstrong it continued to function as best it could until a new Resident Conductor was appointed in 1952.

He was Andrew Owenson (well known for his arrangements for brass band) but although several players were recruited during his reign as conductor the progress of the band was not altogether satisfactory. Andrew resigned early in 1955 and Harry Mileman, who had remained in employment at the colliery, took over as ‘Caretaker’ Conductor until he left to take over a similar position with a band in New Zealand.

Andrew Owenson again took over as Resident Musical Director but he did not reign long and resigned his position for the second time just prior to the Summer Season of 1957. The band was again helped out of its difficulties by Bill Foster (by now in his Seventies) until George Thompson was persuaded to take up his old position with the band. He had been conducting a band in Cornwall but he welcomed the opportunity of returning to Yorkshire. Towards the end of the 1950’s things began to improve, mainly as a result of this appointment in 1958. Known as a fine band trainer, Thompson set new standards of musical discipline, re-established the youth band ‘nursery’, and proved to be a source of inspiration to his players throughout his long period with them. Under his leadership, the band’s record at the ‘Open’ Championship of Great Britain was First in 1967 and 1969, Second in 1963, Third in 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1971.

In the competition field the band took part in a total of 42 contests between 1932 and 1945. The results were – 19 firsts, 11 seconds, 4 thirds, 6 fourths and 2 fifths. Quite an achievement in any class. Shortly after George Thompson’s return he was responsible (in 1960) for the formation of the Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band.

When the Junior Band was reformed in 1960 it was felt that the band would be extremely fortunate if it found one player in every five years who was good enough to hold down a position in the Senior Band. In its first 16 years, there have been eight players who have seen service with the Seniors.

Since the bands inception until 1976, the band has not been too successful in winning the major competitions although they can boast of some little reward in this sphere at the latter end of this period – ‘Open’ Championships in 1967 and 1969; ‘National’ Champions in 1970; Mineworkers’ National Champions in 1967 to 1969 and 1973 to 1976; Granada Television Band of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1976. This seeming lack of success could possibly be put down to the wretched bad luck when drawing for playing positions. A spot analysis of 36 competitions at the time shows that the band has played earlier than number eight on 26 occasions.  

In 1972, George Thompson resigned his position at the age of sixty five. The band first appointed Derek Ashmore as Deputy Musical Director but after a short reign (the highspot being two LP’s for York Records) he was replaced by Denis Wilby as Resident Conductor. This was again quite a short reign and an appointment of a Resident Conductor was not made until June 1974. He was John Berryman (from Cornwall) who had been the Musical Director of the Bodmin Town Band for four years, and prior to that he had been Principal Cornet of GUS (footwear) Band of Kettering for some ten years. He took the band to the Granada Television Band of the Year Competition in 1974 and finished one point away from a hat trick of wins after playing first. Under his leadership, the band finished joint first at the Mineworkers’ Finals in Blackpool. Unfortunately, he resigned to take up a teaching appointment in the Midlands in August 1975.