It proved to be a memorable night for the Gourlay family as Scottish Champion Whitburn looked back on a fantastic year of achievement at its annual presentation awards event.

BBb tuba player Alan was voted 'Players' Player of the Year' by his fellow band members, whilst parents John and Margaret were presented with 'Lifetime Membership' for their outstanding contribution to the Whitburn organisation.

Not to be left out, his brother Neil gained was presented with his ten year membership of the band.

Momentous

2017 was a momentous year — with victories at the Scottish, Scottish Open and Grand Shield, as well as a runner-up spot at the British Open and a top-six finish at the National Championships seeing the band propelled into the top-ten of the 4BR World Rankings for the first time since 2007.

Soprano cornet Scott Forrest won the 'Player of the Year' award for a third time, while EEb tuba Robert Fraser was named 'Bandsperson of the Year' for a second.

American link

There was even a live link to America where Robert Davie received his 'Lifetime Membership' award surrounded by his family, whilst closer to home there were presentations made by Whitburn Heartlands and Whitburn Youth Bands to Alexander Gordon, Jimmy Graham and Rachel Lee as their respective 'Players of the Year'.

2017 was a momentous year — with victories at the Scottish, Scottish Open and Grand Shield, as well as a runner-up spot at the British Open and a top-six finish at the National Championships4BR

Awards and presentations

Further presentations were made to Robert Davie (Life Membership); Mel Clark and Anne Crookston (25 Year Membership) and Stewart Brynes, Michael Fleming, Scott Forrest, Graham Fraser, John Fraser, Robert Fraser, Neill Gourlay and Jennifer Liddell (10 Year Membership)

The Whitburn Youth Band 'Bandspersons of the Year' went to Emma Greig, Amber Gourlay, Olivia McMahon, Emily Royer and Rachel Swan with the 'Most Improved Player' won by Erykah Boland.