SBBA’s thanks to Strathallan School for secure storage facility

The Scottish Brass Band Association is grateful to the Strathallan School – the venue for the annual NYBBS residential courses – for providing secure storage accommodation for its archive files, music and equipment.

SBBA availed itself of the kindness of the Clutha Trust in Glasgow for the provision of a locked storage area in the city’s West Campbell Street for many years, but when the trust moved accommodation to Argyle Street, its new premises were open plan without a separate secure space.

That’s when the search for an alternative store began in earnest. When Strathallan School commercial manager Tracy Pattinson heard of SBBA’s predicament, she offered a secure lock-up – and a few weeks ago the transfer of almost 300 sets of music, files, the contest paraphernalia of stand banners and adjudicators’ tent, and various pieces of equipment was complete.

NYBBS librarian Jim Wishart was instrumental in finding the new accommodation and is delighted at the outcome.

“Tracy is a keen supporter of brass bands and loves having the NYBBS youngsters at Strathallan every year,” he said. “We are so grateful for this storage area in the grounds of the school – and it is so convenient to have the music and equipment on site for the annual residential courses.”

And in a reciprocal gesture, it is hoped to organise a ‘Come and Play’ day at the Strathallan Preparatory School in a bid to introduce the young pupils to a brass instrument.

As proof of the burgeoning relationship between SBBA and Strathallan, Jim now has his own ID and access pass to the school as a representative of NYBBS!