Peter Roberts

Peter Roberts was born on the 30th June 1950 into a family of coal miners and grew up in Grimethorpe with his brother and 2 sisters.

At the tender age of 9 years old, Peter joined Grimethorpe Junior Band as their principal cornet, before making the move to soprano cornet 3 years later. During this time, he played at many events and contests and in 1963, he was invited to attend the Yorkshire Schoolboys’ Band to gain more experience.

In 1965, he left school and got a job at the local coal pit, starting there in August and training as a miner. It also saw a move for Peter to the senior Colliery Band at Grimethorpe. In 1966, he started work at Grimethorpe Colliery in the stockyard. He did not enjoy this job, so transferred to the blacksmith’s shop. Later this year, he played in the British Open.

A year later, Peter Roberts played in the British Open Championship again; the band won. Peter continued to play at several events and contests, including the Mineworkers Contest in Blackpool. Peter turned 18 and was then allowed to undertake coalface training at the pit.

Peter continued to be very busy with the band, playing at many events, festivals and contests around the country, including at The Royal Albert Hall and in France, Australia and the USA. Very successful they were too, winning 3 British Open titles, 6 Granada Band of the year titles, 6 Rothmans Brass in Concert titles and 1 national championships of Great Britain. Peter also enjoyed solo success as he regularly brought home the soloist prizes from Granada Band of the Year, Rothmans Brass in Concert, Mineworkers Championship and the British Open Championship. He left Grimethorpe Band in 1989.

In the 1990, Peter took the job of security office/van driver at the pit, whilst continuing his role in the band. In 1991, he decided to study for a BA (Hons) degree in Brass Band Studies at Barnsley College. At this time, Peter was playing for Dodworth Band, winning the Grand Shield, before a move to Stocksbridge Band in 1994. Peter went on to pass his degree, achieving a 2:1 and also gaining an LRSM (Bandmaster) diploma, to become Peter Roberts BA (Hons) LRSM. Peter also played for Seller and Marple Bands, achieving further success with the French Open title and best soloist award at the Swiss Open.

Peter then joined the Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) Band in 1997, playing for the ‘Children In Need’ live television performance as his first outing with them! In 2003, he visited Salford with the YBS Band and recorded a CD of Christmas music and also begin his own debut solo CD. At YBS, Peter had remarkable success, beginning with winning the British Open this year and again in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The All England Masters title was also won in 1999 and 2000 and 5 consecutive wins at the European Brass Band Championships and soloist awards.

Not long after, in 2004, he moved to Black Dyke Band to become their soprano cornet player. He also appeared with Black Dyke on a TV show called ‘Around Britain.’ In 2007, Peter decided to retire from playing in brass bands. He did go on to adjudicate at the British Open Solo Contest and then the Brass in Concert Contest at the Sage in Gateshead. On the 15th December, he played his last concert for Black Dyke at Sheffield City Hall.

Peter and his wife retired to live by the East Yorkshire coast in 2012. He wrote the second edition of his autobiography in 2016.