In 1994 major sponsorship was received from NSK-RHP (UK) Ltd, who ironically were successors to the original Ransome and Marles. It would seem that fate had completed a circle. It was in 1996 that Brian Grant was appointed as Musical Director and in the November of that year, the Band was invited to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of N.S.K. in Tokyo, which both the Band and the Japanese audiences hugely enjoyed. In 1997 the Band qualified for the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London by becoming Midland Area Champions for the first time since the 1950s. In the same year the Band qualified for the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall for the first time since 1979 and entered the rankings for the brass band movement at number 32. As a result of its hard work and dedication the Band is currently in 8th place. During their history the Band have made numerous LPs and during the last few years made 3 CDs which have proved hugely popular with our loyal supporters and the general public. Work will commence this autumn on a further CD which will be released later in the year. 1999 was a very active and successful year for the Band yet again. The first highlight was becoming the Midland Area Champions.