1950NewUniform.jpg

Bandsman - I know the words 'Sept 1950 New Uniforms Cresswell Disaster' is written on your info but I have not included it on the photos I have added the names to.

I did a bit of research and the Creswell Colliery Mining disaster, Derbyshire was on the 26th. September 1950 -  a fire broke out and 80 men were killed. The fire was started at No. 2 transfer point, when a conveyor belt jammed. The belt rollers probably continued to rotate and friction on the conveyor belting produced enough heat to propagate the fire. Flames swept through the 12' by 10' roadway trapping the men behind a "wall of flame".26th September 1950.

I 'Googled' to see to see if there was any info online about any tributes by colliery bands following the disaster but didn't find anything.

I couldn't make out the faded writing that appears to be the name of the cup the band are dispalying so couldn't find anything on that.

The only Brass Band competition I could find for Sept 1950 was The British Open but that was on the 2nd September 1950 and Netherton were not listed as having taken part in the competition. The Creswell Colliery Band were in that competition.

Also in Historic Bedlington is an Album - 'Nedderton/Netherton old photos' by Carole and this photo is in it but with the info :-' This photo was taken in the garden of Howard House in the 1930s. The Colliery Manager, Mr Anthony Scott is seated behind and slightly to the right of the trophy.' Based on the names you have given, with your photo, and having seen the people in other photos 1950 would appear to be the right date.

As for the way the names have been set out it is difficult to match them into the 5 rows so I have done two photos – one with numbers and an attempt to associate all the names to a number and one with no numbers and just 5 rows of names.

No 13 has been confirmed as Alec Baxter by his nephew Bob Baxter on the Bedlington remembered Facebook group. As I had interpreted the original list of names differently I have now reshuffled the names to fit in with the update and I might have them right .