Encouraging noises from Mid Scotland and Lothians meeting
An air of optimism emerged from the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Mid Scotland and Lothians Brass Band Association (the formal name of the East of Scotland Brass Band Association), which was held on Saturday, 7 October at Bathgate Bandhall in Livingston.
14 delegates, representing 11 bands, were present at the meeting, organised with the aim of breathing new life into an association that had suffered from a lost impetus over recent years.
David Kinross (Whitburn Heartlands Band) was elected as the organisation’s new Chairman, having earlier given a detailed presentation encouraging co-operation among member bands and outlining the potential benefits of collaboration.
Euan Meikle (Whitburn Band) was elected as Vice-Chairman, Brian Walker (Bathgate Band) as Secretary and Graeme Adam (Newtongrange Silver Band) as Treasurer. The organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at Bathgate Bandhall on Saturday, 2 December (10.30am) and all member bands are encouraged to send as many delegates as they wish.
David Kinross commented: "This was an uplifting meeting at which we were encouraged tremendously by the amount of enthusiasm in the room, as well as a real willingness among the bands to collaborate on future initiatives for the common good. We look forward to making real progress in the coming months and hope that every band in the east of Scotland will come on board."
