Climate For Change
Coalburn Silver Band, South Lanarkshire’s only surviving silver band, has been a success story since it was established in 1902, playing all over the area and supporting local communities at festivals and functions. The band, which currently has 35 players, are Scottish Champions, holding the title of 3rd Section Band of the Year 2009. It now even has its own Junior Music Academy giving youngsters professional tuition in brass instruments, and the chance to play in Coalburn Bronze Band.
Now the band is tackling another challenge - to make its hall fit for the 21st century. This is happening with funding and support from Natural Scotland and Climate Challenge Fund. The Band Hall started life as a house in the early 1900s, but is now so difficult to heat it in winter that some youngsters are not staying! The band has drawn up a comprehensive schedule of improvements, including a new energy-efficient roof with good insulation, new double-glazed windows, new doors, new insulation, and even a solar panel to supply hot water. The improvements will drastically reduce the band’s carbon emissions as the hall will be less dependent on fossil fuels for heating,and ensure a more pleasant environment for the children learning to play. The project will also demonstrate how older buildings can be upgraded and given a new lease of life for rural groups who could never afford the luxury of new buildings! All members of the community are invited along to the hall on July 31 between 1pm and 6pm to see the plans for the project and to let other community groups see the potential of the facility for their own use. The band is an important asset in the village and the surrounding local rural communities so come along and show your support and see for yourself how this development will help the band continue to nurture the next generation of players.
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