The band was formed in 1875 in the former mining village of Pelton Fell and has a purpose built rehearsal facility in the Park in the village which was built in 2010.
Since 2008 the band has been sponsored by the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and is now known as The NASUWT Riverside Band.
Over recent years the band has been a principal performer at the Durham International Brass Festival including a key role in the internationally renowned Miners Hymns performances in 2010 and 2014.
In 2023 the band performed with Richard Hawley in Durham Cathedral , and has been a major advocate of diverse music for brass band, The band performed with Public Service Broadcasting in 2024 ,a concert which was awarded the North East Culture award for the best performance in 2024.
The band won the North of England Championships 2013 and has had further success winning the area championships 6 times in the last 8 years.
The band won the Grand Shield in 2019 and appeared at the British Open Championships in 2019 and 2022.
The band has qualified 9 times in the last 11 years, for the finals of the National Championships of Great Britain, which are held at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
The band has appeared 3 times at Brass in Concert which is held in the Sage Gateshead , its first appearance was in 2019.
The band has a busy diary of engagements all over Britain particularly for their excellent sponsors.
The band are very fortunate to also receive financial support from MD Autos, Chester le Street.
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