Sun 22 Nov 2026
DCBBA Festival of Brass 2026
East Durham College
Backworth Colliery Band competes in the Durham County Brass Band Association’s Festival of Brass at East Durham College, Peterlee, on Sunday 22 November.
Event details
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Backworth Colliery Band
140 Years of Brass Band Heritage. Still Making Music.
Established in Backworth, North Tyneside in 1886, we continue the colliery band tradition through concerts, contests, community events and performances across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and beyond.
About Us
Born in the Coalfields. Still at the Heart of the Community.
Backworth Colliery Band was established in 1886 within the mining community of Backworth, North Tyneside. It began as a wind band, with clarinets and flutes alongside the brass, and became wholly brass during the 1920s. The collieries that shaped the village closed one by one, the last in 1980, but the band played on. Today we are a community band of players from every walk of life, performing in our purple and gold at concerts, galas, parades and civic occasions across the North East, competing at the North of England Regional Championships and welcoming new players through our Training Band. In 2026 we celebrate 140 years of music.
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Contests & Concerts
Four third-place finishes at the North of England Regional Championships between 2015 and 2024, alongside concerts and engagements across the region.
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Community at Heart
Most of our public performances are free to attend, from bandstands and galas to Remembrance parades and Christmas markets.
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The Next Generation
Our Training Band helps new and returning players take their first steps in brass, with a pathway into the senior band.
Hire The Band
Bring Live Brass to Your Event
From concerts and weddings to civic occasions and Christmas events, the sound of a real North East brass band makes an occasion. Depending on the event and player availability, smaller ensembles may also be possible.
See Us Live
Our Next Performances
Join us for live brass music in North Tyneside and beyond.
Sun 13 Dec 2026 · 13:30 (UK time)
Beamish in December
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Backworth Colliery Band plays at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, on Sunday 13 December, 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Event detailsTue 15 Dec 2026 · 18:30 (UK time)
Allendale
Allendale, Northumberland
The band plays in Allendale, Northumberland.
Event detailsSat 19 Dec 2026 · 10:30 (UK time)
Carols at the Marina
Royal Quays Marina
Backworth Colliery Band plays Christmas music and carols at the marina’s annual Christmas event for berth holders, Saturday 19 December, 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Event detailsWatch Us Play
Hear the Band
Clips of the band in concert, from our Facebook page.
Videos are provided by Facebook, which may set its own cookies when one plays.
Make Music With Us
Find Your Place in the Band
Experienced player, returning musician or new to the area? We would be pleased to hear from you. Senior rehearsals: Monday and Thursday, 7:30pm–9:30pm at Backworth Club.
Applications close 20 November 2026
Musical Director
Strong musical leadership, keeping the band's positive, enjoyable and supportive atmosphere. Experienced Musical Directors and ambitious conductors welcome.
View vacancy140th Anniversary
1886–2026: 140 Years of Backworth Colliery Band
Born in the coalfields. Still making music 140 years later.
1886
Established in Backworth’s mining community
1920s
A wind band becomes wholly brass
1980
The last pit closes. The band plays on.
2004
A new home and a junior band
2007
The Backworth name returns
2026
140 years of music
Latest News
News from the Band
Concerts, contests and stories from 140 years of Backworth brass.
5 November 2026 · Heritage
What Is a Colliery Band?
A colliery band is a brass band that grew out of a coal-mining community. Here is where they came from, what they played and why they still matter.
Read more
22 October 2026 · Band News
A New Chapter: Musical Director Vacancy
Our Musical Director, Chris Travis, steps down after Christmas, and we're looking for the person to lead Backworth into its next chapter. Applications close 20 November.
Read more
22 October 2026 · Concerts
Annual Fundraising Concert: Saturday 7 November
Join us at The Klurb in North Shields on Saturday 7 November for an evening of brass from the Training Band and the Main Band.
Read moreHelp Keep 140 Years of Music Playing
Instruments, repairs, music, rehearsal space, transport and contest entries all keep a community band playing. Booking the band, coming to a concert, donating or sponsoring all help.