*
banner

Kinneil quartet presented with Life Membership awards

Four stalwart players with UNISON Kinneil Band have been presented with their richly deserved Life Membership Awards by the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Kinneil
  The four stalwarts were presented with their awards at the band's recent annual Christmas concert

A quartet of players from UNISON Kinneil Band from Bo'ness were recently presented with their Scottish Brass Band Association Life Membership awards.

Two centuries

Owen Downs, Willie Gardner, Tommy Harrower and Robert Doherty have each served the movement of over 50 years, with an accumulated total of well over two centuries of dedication and commitment between them.

Soprano cornet Owen first contested in 1970 with Alloa Burgh, before moving onto Kinneil Colliery, Bo'ness & Carriden, Whitburn, Broxburn Public, a return to Kinneil, onto Clackmannan and finally back to UNISON Kinneil in 2016.

Flugel player Tommy started his career in 1962 with Buckhaven before moving onto Hammond Sauce six years later. In 1972 he studied at the Royal Military School of Music before serving with The Black Watch Band. He also played in many professional settings but his retirement from the forces led him to play for Bathgate, Kingdom, Clackmannan, Bo'ness & Carriden and finally to UNISON Kinneil.

Willie has served Kinneil continuously from his introduction to playing in 1969. Throughout his time with Kinneil he has served it as Chairman as well as a player.

Finally, Robert joined Willie in serving Kinneil throughout the past half century.

He started playing in 1968 and went on to join Kinneil Juniors, progressing to the senior band in 1971. Robert has participated with them at the National Finals on nine occasions, featured on television and radio broadcasts, participated in several tours and currently holds the position of Secretary.

We felt it was really important that these richly deserved awards were recognised at a public event, so were so pleased that we have eventually had the chance to present themUNISON Kinneil Band

Richly deserved

The quartet were presented with their richly deserved awards at the annual Christmas concert, the first engagement back in front of the public due to Covid-19.

Band Manager Ruth Kelly stated: "We felt it was really important that these richly deserved awards were recognised at a public event, so were so pleased that we have eventually had the chance to present them."

The quartet have now joined solo euphonium, Ian Campbell as lifetime membership recipients within Kinneil Band.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Craig Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe high as he becomes full AoBBA member

July 3 • Craig Ratcliffe has completed his development training programme to become a full member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.


Bolton Crown Court

Brass band conductor sentenced for abuse of position of trust

July 2 • Sam Olsson is sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 18 by a person in a position of trust.


tIPS

BBE announces partnership with donations platform

July 2 • Brass Band England member bands can benefit from an easy way to gain cashless donations.


Mead in Japan

No fatigue for touring Mead

July 2 • Steven Mead has just return from tours of Japan and Australia with China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to come.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd