Connecting during the Corona crisis – Sanquhar & District Silver Band

In our continuing series on how Scottish bands are staying connected during the Coronavirus pandemic, we take a look at Sanquhar & District Silver Band:

Primarily a non-competing band, Sanquhar & District Silver Band dates back to the 1890s. It was following a down-turn in the 1960s that the band folded, but was re-formed in 1980 – and it has flourished since.

We provide a means for players of all ages, walks of life and abilities to come together to enjoy the experience of making music. Throughout the year, we play at various events, including local contests, concerts, special occasions like the Riding of the Marches, church services, Armistice parades and so on. We have a particularly lively schedule over Christmas!

Our highs include the building of our own rehearsal hall by band members in 1990 and the awarding of a British Empire Medal for services to music to one of our players, Bobby Sanderson, in 2014.

Sadly Bobby passed away the following year. He had played with the band from the age of 12 and had a major part in the building of the band hall. In a small ceremony attended by his wife and family and members of the band in 2016, the hall was renamed The Bobby Sanderson BEM Memorial Band Hall in his honour.

In these uncertain times, our message to all the banding fraternity is keep safe! We will get through this – and we will play together again.

• Let us know about your band. Tell us about some of your successes, when you were founded, where and when you rehearse (when things are back to normal), and how your members are coping during the Coronavirus emergency situation.

Just send a couple of photos and a short write-up to Nigel Martin at sbbapr@gmail.com