Davie Bennison passing mourned by Lochgelly players

Players in Lochgelly Band are mourning the passing of lifelong and much loved member, baritone player Davie Bennison, at the age of 89.

Davie was persuaded to join the band by his dad at the age of 11 in 1946. After trying the tenor horn, he was given the baritone, an instrument which he considered his own from then on.

He only hung up his contesting uniform in 2018 but continued to play at every opportunity, helping at galas and carolling events until 2020.

Davie’s playing career covered the halcyon days of the band and among his favourite moments were winning the Scottish Championships in 1973 under Enoch Jackson playing the Plantagenets and the band’s performance of High Peak under the baton of George Thompson at the 1976 National Mineworkers Finals in Blackpool where the band came in 4th place.

The highlight of Blackpool was the remarks from the piece’s composer, Eric Ball, who wrote “I will just listen to this” and awarded the band 198 points out of 200. There were numerous other performances Davie spoke fondly of but always came back to these two.

Whilst Davie was firstly a baritone player he was ultimately a bandsman. At various stages through the years whenever the band needed a seat filler, Davie’s hand was always the first to go up to do whatever was needed. It was this attitude that led to him to playing in the euphonium, horn, cornet, bass and percussion sections. In fact, the only section he didn’t play in was the trombones!

Despite hanging up his instrument after the enforced Covid break, Davie continued to support the band and until very recently rarely missed a rehearsal, concert or contest where his distinctive “yaasss” could be heard from the audience!

He was also first in the hall for the inaugural rehearsal of Lochgelly’s community band to pass on his knowledge.

Davie was such an asset to the band as a player, off stage he was no less valuable providing help and advice to everyone he sat beside – “I used to do it this way”, “It’s easier if you do that” underpinned an almost constant stream of experience he shared with anyone, especially the younger up and coming players.

These comments were never delivered in an ‘I know better’ manner, but more with a cheeky grin and a funny anecdote which made a music lesson stick all the more. This cheekiness was not limited to his advice but also to the many band hall and more formal functions. Often with a rum and coke in hand, he regaled with stories of what he had achieved in an immense career that has won every major title achievable in Scotland during his playing time.

Everyone in Lochgelly Band that knew Davie had a funny story about him, from the time he was at a contest in Pontins and had forgotten to pack his stage trousers! Enter a spare pair from Irene that nearly fitted, to the ‘pinnacle’ of Davie’s off stage antics, being asked to stop doing cartwheels across the stage, at the spritely age of 63.

The ultimate bandsman, friend and mentor to many, he will be missed hugely by everyone in the band, and the many bands who have players in them that were privileged to know Davie.

Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with Davie’s family and friends.

• David’s funeral service will take place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Monday 9 December at 11.45am, to which all family and friends are respectfully invited.