Under the spotlight: Co-op Funeralcare

The Co-op Funeralcare Band in action.

WITH the 2016 Scottish Open approaching, the Co-op Funeralcare Band is adding the final touches to its chosen work.

The Glasgow band is the reigning Scottish champion and will be looking to reclaim the title it has won on five occasions - more than any other band - when it takes to the stage under the baton of Nigel Boddice MBE in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday, November 26.

Principal players

History

The Co-op Funeralcare Band, formerly The Co-operative Funeralcare Band, initially known as  the Scottish CWS Band and later the CWS (Glasgow) Band and the Scottish Co-op Band, was formed in 1918 in the CWS factories in Shieldhall, Glasgow. 

It is the most successful band in Scottish competition history having won the Scottish Championships on 33 occasions. 
In 1990 the band achieved its greatest success by becoming the first Scottish band to win the National Championships of Great Britain a title which it subsequently regained in 1996.

In May, 2010 the band won the All England Masters International Championship for a second time while earlier in the year it passed another milestone by winning the Scottish Championship for the 30th time. The band also won the Scottish Open Championship in November 2010 for a third time. This has been followed on by two further victories, in 2012 and 2013.

The band has also been runner-up in the European Championships twice, in 1992 and 1997 and has been placed third in the British Open Championship four times, in 1993, 1997, 2004 and 2013. 

Longstanding and generous sponsorship from the Co-operative movement has been a vital factor in the band’s success and the band is grateful to its current sponsors, The Co-op Funeralcare.