The History of the Reg Vardy Band

Craghead Colliery Band
The Band was formed -in 1910 -as the -Craghead Colliery Band- to -provide recreational -activity- for the -miners in the -village -of -Craghead, in County Durham. I n the early early 1950's a young gentlman named Eric Cunningham became resident conductor of the band. Eric had started to get the urge to conduct and his first appointment was as bandmaster of the Craghead Colliery Band when only 29 years old. At this time Craghead were experiencing a few problems but with Eric at the helm the band began to climb the sections and qualified for the 1953 second section finals in London. The steady progress continued seeing the band compete at London in five second section finals in six years.1958 saw the band promoted to the Championship section and after a settling in period the band qualified for the National Finals for the first time in 1963.
 
Eric Cunningham

In fact during Eric’s tenure with the band they only failed to qualify for the finals twice.In total the band made 25 appearances at the Royal Albert Hall in 27 years. Eric was undoubtedly a major influence on the Craghead Colliery ( and later Ever Ready Band) and their successes came down to Eric’s hard work, dedication and enthusiasm.He was a quiet person by nature, never sought personal glory but he worked extremely hard to further the standards of what ever musical group he was involved with. Eric sadly passed away in April 2004 at the age of 82. He is greatly missed by all who knew him.

In 1968 Craghead -Colliery -was- one of the first North East Coal Mines to be closed, sadly there are now no working Coal Mines in the North East of England. Much -of -the workforce -found -employment at -the newly -opened Ever Ready Batteries and Electronics factory in the nearby village of Tanfield Lea.

Craghead Colliery Band 1924
 
Ever Ready Band
By the -end of 1968 the Ever Ready had also taken- over- sponsorship -of- the Band, given the -band a new -home and -the Band became -the Ever Ready Band . This was a golden period including eleven consecutive regional championship wins 1972 – 1982. This included five hat tricks.Other highlights with the band included winning the 1974 BBC band of the year and gaining 4th position at the British Open in 1987. At this time the Ever Ready Band totally dominated North East brass band competetions and the band became well known for it high standards of musicianship. The now famous Scarlet tunics were seen at venues all over the United Kingdom and were even invited to play at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Ever Ready Band - 1985
All good things come to an end and sadly like Craghead Colliery had in 1968, the Ever Ready factory closed in 1992, the Band had to become self-supporting, whilst retaining the famous Ever Ready name in token only. The high standards of musicianship were maintained despite a lack of sponsorship placing a financial burden on the players and offcials. The Band did though find a new permanent home not far from its origianl roots of Craghead village. In the centre of Stanley, County Durham, the band was able to purchase an old Salvation Army Hall where the band remains to this day.
 
Reg Vardy Band
In March 2003 the signed a five year sponsorship deal with the motor retailer Reg Vardy Group. This have helped to ensure the financial security of the band. So after 36 years the band has changed its name to the Reg Vardy Band and we are proud to be associated with one of Europe’s largest motor retailers and one thing that makes it extra special for us they are a North East company. The partnership with Reg Vardy has helped the band another period of success. For the frist time in the band's history it finished in the top ten in every major contest for two consectutive years. This has included six straight Northern Area titles, third place, two fourth placings and a sixth place finish at Brass In Concert, a third place and and a sixth place at International Masters and three consectutive top ten finishes at the British Open. The band greatest acheivement so far was gaining third place at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2004. This lead to the band being invited to represent England in the 2005 World Championships In Kerkrade, Holland where the band claimed fifth place.
Sir Peter Vardy with Joanne Winspear and Dan Cox - 2003

The Reg Vardy Band appear in concerts all over the UK ay such venues as the brand new Sage, Gateshead, Newcastle City Hall, Yeadon Town Hall, Alnick Playhouse Theatre, The Theatre-By-The-Lake in Keswick and Stanley's very own Lamplight Theatre. The Band has recorded 4 major CD's and appears in DVD's of both Brass In Concert and The 2005 World Championships. Always looking forward and pioneering Brass Band innovation the Band has formed a formidable partnership with renowned conductor Ray Farr. This partnership has seen the band become Durham University Band in residence putting a on a series on concerts with famous names form the Brass band movement such as Elgar Howarth, Roy Newsome and Dr John Pickard. The Band is also pleased to support Ray Farr as he trains a new generation of conductors from around the UK and Europe. The band regularly plays host to Conducting Masterclasses where Ray Farr puts new conductors through their paces on major Brass Band works such as Wilfred Heaton's 'Contest Music', Peter Graham's 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', Kenneth Downie's 'St Magnus and Eric Ball's 'Journey into Freedom'. All the conductors has express their gratitude for getting the opportunity to work with the 'maestro' Ray Farr and the Reg Vardy Band.
Ray Farr - conducting the Reg Vardy Band at the Royal Albert Hall 2004
Looking to the future
The band continues to aim to become the first North East band to win a major national competition for over fifty years. That involves investing in young talent in the North East and allowing them to develop in the company of top quality, experienced players. The band has formed a link with Emmanuel College, Gateshead and supports their own brand new youth band culminating in a joint annual concert. The Reg Vardy band also has close links to the Tudhoe Grange School Bands and appears every year in joint concert in Spennymoor to packed audiences. The band is also fortunate to have in its ranks Alan Catherall, one of the country's finest brass band arrangers. To the envy of bands around the world the Reg Vardy Band has become famous showcasing new and innovative music in a variety of styles whilst respecting the traditional brass band reportoire.
 
 
 

 

Many thanks to Ray Hutchinson who provided a lot of information for this page.