Sad passing of a Scottish brass band stalwart, Tommy Bolan

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Scottish brass band stalwart Tommy Bolan this week.

A much-respected long-serving playing member and supporter of Croy Silver Band, Tommy received life membership to the band and also to the Scottish Brass Band Association in 2009.

Tommy, who was 81, was married to his beloved wife Anna for 59 years. Together they had five children: Margaret, Catherine, James, John and Phillip; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Sadly Catherine passed away after fighting a long battle with cancer.

Tommy took up the cornet when he was 11 years old from which age he became a loyal bandsman and committee member of the band until he had to give up playing in his early 70s. 

He progressed to the flugel horn in his early teens. Not only was he a technically gifted player, he produced a sound from the instrument that can be best described as pure velvet.  At one particular contest, Tommy played the solo Say Ye Who Borrow and the adjudicator in the box that day was the piece arranger, Allan Street, who mentioned him in dispatches, commenting on his beautiful playing and god given sound.

We all send our condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.

(Many thanks to Croy Silver Band president Joe Hadnum for this personal information about Tommy.)