Colliery bands unite to mark 25 years since miners' strike

FORMER miners hope to strike gold in the charts after some of the UK's best-known colliery bands united to sign a deal for a new album, it was announced yesterday.

The release of the album of pop and classical tunes will mark the 25th anniversary of the end of the miners' strike.

Several of the bands contributing to the album are those who played in the "loyalty parade" as miners returned to work after the infamous strike ended in March 1985.

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which provided the soundtrack to the 1994 film Brassed Off about miners' struggles against pit closure, are among the traditional bands featured. The album is to be released by Universal on 1 March.

Other bands from across the UK showcased on the album include Scotland's Buckhaven and Methil Miners Brass Band.

The Music Lives On Now The Mines Have Gone will include tracks ranging from classics such as Largo from the New World Symphony and Concerto de Aranjuez – usually played on classical guitar – to pop hits such as McArthur Park and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.