Members and friends of Bo'ness & Carriden Band recently gathered with his family to say their goodbyes at the funeral of Ian Kay.

Ian passed away on Saturday, 23rd June after a brave fight over the past year with cancer.

Best known

He was well known in his home town as a good friend to many people but possibly best known as a member of the local band.

Although he initially played cornet with great success, a cycling accident which damaged his teeth meant that he moved to bass trombone where he played a major part in the Kinneil Band’s successes in the 1960s.

Return

He eventually returned to his beloved Bo'ness & Carriden Band via Aberdeen City Band and played any position in the band that needed filling.

A family man, married to Maria for 48 years, proud father of David and Moira, Ian continued his band involvement even when receiving treatment at Forth Valley Hospital Oncology Department.

Ian will be remembered as a very professional bandsman, always immaculate in his appearance and playing and an inspiration to younger and older colleaguesBand spokesperson

Amazing commitment

His amazing commitment was seen by him playing Eb tuba at the 2011 Scottish Open and then moving to second cornet in a concert the band played in Polmont earlier this year. This unfortunately proved to be his last appearance with the band.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Ian will be remembered as a very professional bandsman, always immaculate in his appearance and playing and an inspiration to younger and older colleagues."

Service

After a service of thanksgiving on Monday, 2nd July, Ian, who was aged 68, was laid to rest at the new Carriden Cemetery where Bo'ness & Carriden Band played a favourite arrangement of Leonard Ballantine’s ‘Mid All the Traffic’ as a tribute to a much loved bandsman and friend.