After 10 years at the helm, Brian Harper is to relinquish his position as MD of the Cleethorpes Band after the Area Championships 2026.

Brian said “The time is right to step back from banding twice a week all year round. There has been some truly special moments in the last decade, notably our Armistice 100 concert, the fun we have at Christmas and I will miss the cut and thrust of contesting. I will continue to stand in for Cleethorpes and other bands as needed and will continue with short terms assignments as I do at present. The band have a great following locally, work hard towards contests and put on great performances in their local community. I look forward to spending the next few months working towards the Regional Contest before passing the baton on. Chairperson Heidi Bradley said Brian has been a huge asset to the band over the last decade, progressing many players through our training band in to the senior band and giving them their first experiences of contesting. Under his leadership the band have developed a strong reputation for putting on excellent concerts with our own style and our audience figures have grown significantly. We fully understand Brian wanting to take a step back from full time banding but it will be the end of an era and our performance in March will be tinged with sadness as we say goodbye. We will start our recruitment process for a new MD in early 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. On behalf of the band I would like to put on a record a huge thank you to Brian for all of the work he has put in to the band over the last ten years.

After 25 years Rob West has decided to stand down as Chairman of the band, he will continue as a trustee.

The new Chair is Heidi Bradley who brings a wealth of knowledge about bands and charities in the community.  We wish her every sucess.

Cleethorpes Band are sad to hear of the death of Paul Stanley who passed away after a short illness.  Paul was a member of the Band for a good number of years playing Euphonium and Trombone and was once part of the winning Best Trombone Section at the Leicester Contest.  In the early days Paul played in the band alongside his brother Mark, and went on to meet Rachael through the band who he later married. 

Paul also held committee roles and was key to obtaining a grant allowing the purchase of a full set of training band instruments which we still use today for our Beginner and Training sections. 

Paul was in touch with the Band a few weeks before he passed away and shared fond memories of his time with us.  He will be greatly missed as a friend of the band.

Cleethorpes Band will contest the North of England Brass Band Championships on Saturday 16th March 2024 at The Gala Theatre in Durham

Congratulations to our prize winners announced at our Annual General Meeting yesterday. 

Heidi - Presented with our President's Cup

Carol - presented with the Owen Harden Cup and the Bill Tansley Memorial Trophy