A History of Highley Colliery Band

A brass band had existed in Highley since the turn of the 20th Century until the closure of the pit in 1969.

Then early in 1993 a handful of brass band musicians met at the Bache Public House in Highley. The first steps had been made in the reformation of a Brass Band in the village.

Regular rehearsals were adopted, meeting every Wednesday and Sunday night at the Bache.

Gradually numbers grew, and under the baton of Ray Millichamp the Band began performances under the name of Highley Band.

With the aid of a Lottery Grant the band purchased much needed instruments, and went from strength to strength.

In 2000 to coincide with the new uniform, the band adopted the now familiar Pit Head Wheel emblem and renamed the band, HIGHLEY COLLIERY BAND, to reflect the mining heritage of its home village.

The original Highley Band in the early 1900's

Highley Colliery Band in 2006