A DALES brass band has been given an entire music library following the demise of a colliery band in County Durham.

Murton Gospel Temperance Blue Ribbon Army Band was formed on April 19, 1884, and the following year was renamed as The Murton Colliery Band. It was dissolved at the end of last month.

A small amount of money was deducted from the wages of each miner to pay for the band’s upkeep, and after 134 years it had amassed a considerable music library.

The trustees of Murton band agreed to donate the music library to Leyburn Band.

George Lundberg, conductor at Leyburn, said: “After all these years it is sad Murton had to call it a day. I had a call asking if we could collect the music and there was a lot of it. We managed to get someone drive up for it and there were three car loads.”

Instead of practising one Sunday, band members spent the day sorting some of the music and consolidating their storage space at Thornborough Hall.

Mr Lundberg added: “As we have only been on the go for a short time since we reformed, we only had a small music collection. That’s all changed now, but it all needs cataloguing and it may take some time as I hate throwing away any music.

"It may be the Brass Band Federation will take some for their achieve. We are very grateful to the trustees of Murton Band for their gift of a very considerable music library.”

Leyburn Brass Band performed at the Wensleydale Show last weekend, and on Sunday, September 9, is due to take part in Hardraw Brass Band Contest.