Whitburn Band celebrates with awards night

(From left) John Lambie, Chris Bradley, Jimmy Graham, Iain Fleming, Sam Knox, Alan Gourlay,Kenny Crookston and Bobby Hendrie. The Whitburn stalwarts were presented with the long service medals at the Whitburn Band Annual Awards.

 THE Whitburn Band has celebrated the end of 2015 by awarding some of its longest serving members and current stars.

The West Lothian band had reason to celebrate after winning every domestic contest the band entered in 2015, including the Scottish Championships and the Scottish Open, and also taking part in the celebrated Dark Arteries project with the Rambert Ballet Company.

Whitburn Band president David Kinross was delighted to present lifetime membership awards to some Whitburn stalwarts.

John Lambie, Jimmy Graham, Sam Knox and Bobby Hendrie were all prominent members of the Major Parkes era of Whitburn's history, when the band won six Scottish championships between 1980 and 1987 and finished third at the European and National championships. Nowadays, all four men continue to play an active role in the band.

Medals for 25 years of service were also awarded to three current players - Chris Bradley, Iain Fleming and Alan Gourlay - along with Kenneth Crookston, the editor of the British Bandsman magazine.

Alex and Lockhart Vidler (life membership), along with Evelyn Bradley and Chic Cullen (25 years), have also been recognised by the band and they will receive their medals at a later date.

Whitburn Band Players' Player of the Year Scott Forrest (left) is joined by Whitburn Band Player of the Year Chris Bradley and Whitburn Band Bandsman of the Year Mel Clark.

It turned out to be a double celebration for Chris Bradley, as he was named the Whitburn Band Player of the Year for the third time after another successful twelve months on the principal cornet chair.

The Whitburn Band Players' Player went to Scott Forrest after impressing audiences and adjudicators alike on soprano cornet, while Mel Clark was a popular recipient of the Bandsman of the Year trophy.

Charlie Farren was also awarded the inaugural President's Award. As well as starring all year on bass trombone, Charlie served with distinction as band manager in what was one of the busiest years in Whitburn's recent history.

Charlie Farren, the winner of the Whitburn Band President's Award.

For Whitburn Heartlands, 2015 was marked with success with victory at the Scottish Championships (Fourth Section) by five points and a fourth place finish at the National Brass Band Championships (Fourth Section).

Holly Groves was recognised as the Young Player of the Year, while Kirsty Adams was awarded the Senior Player of the Year.

Whitburn Youth Band, meanwhile, retained its title of Scottish Youth Brass Band (Development Section) champion in 2015. Musical Director Caroline Farren awarded Melanie Pollock with Bandsperson of the Year, with Eilidh Skinner winning the award for Most Improved Player. The Player of the Year was given to flugel horn player Morgan Tait.

Members of the Whitburn Wee Band - a group for beginners playing their first notes - were all awarded certificates for their efforts in 2015.

David Kinross, Whitburn Band president, said: "It was an honour to present prizes to all of the Whitburn bands. In particular, it was a pleasure to celebrate what has been a fantastic year for the organisation with everyone, and to highlight the amazing contributions of some of the longest serving members of the band who have given so much to Whitburn over the years."