Grimethorpe Colliery Band Announce Cultural Recovery Support

Grimethorpe Colliery Band among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the UK Government £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund

Grimethorpe Colliery Band are pleased to announce that the band is to be a recipient of a major award from the second round of the Arts Council of England and UK Government £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is aimed at helping arts organisations recover and reopen following a year of enforced shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The award to Grimethorpe of £47, 515 will enable the band to recommence rehearsal and performance activities safely, and to establish the foundations of a number of projects which Grimethorpe Band and Youth Band will develop over the coming months

Speaking on behalf of Grimethorpe Colliery, Band Chairman Andrew Coe stated: “Grimethorpe Colliery Band are delighted to receive this support from the Arts Council of England and UK Government at this crucial period, as the band seeks to recommence our rehearsal and performance activity following a year of enforced shutdown due to the global pandemic. This support will be invaluable in re-establishing and reopening the activities of the world’s most famous colliery band”

Musical Director David Thornton continued: “The band are thoroughly looking forward to returning to rehearsals and performance, in line with UK government guidance, and to returning to making music soon, as only Grimethorpe can. We look forward to developing a number of new artistic projects with this support, and to sharing those with friends & followers of the band and members of our Youth Band programme soonest. The band are indebted to the Trustees and fundraising consultant Craig Roberts for their hard work in securing this vital support for the band”

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Grimethorpe in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden announced today.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.

We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.

Full information on Grimethorpe’s planned activities for the coming months will be published in full soon