What’s Christmas without a brass band?

by Dave Payn

Arran Brass had surely one of their busiest ever festive periods over the last month or so. Either the whole band or members thereof provided musical Yuletide cheer at eleven events.

It all started on a wet and wild Saturday in late November at Lamlash for Santa’s Sparkle, organised by the Glenisle Hotel and Arran Events; a great success despite the weather. The band’s final contribution to the festivities was at Cooriedoon Care Home on Wednesday 21st of December. In between, Arran Brass were present at the following: Brodick Christmas lights, Lamlash Carol Concert, Corrie Christmas Bash, Brodick Castle Victorian Day, Blackwaterfoot Christmas lights, Caledonian Isles ferry (raising money for First Responders Southend), Rowan Singers Christmas concert, Kilmory community carols and the McKelvie Road sheltered housing.

However, whilst this might seem like an opportunity to trumpet the band’s achievements, it is in reality, an opportunity to say thank you to those people and organisations who asked Arran Brass to be part of their Christmas events. I did joke on numerous occasions that we were ‘the busiest brass band on the island’ but it’s nice to be recognised and to be asked to provide carols and the like to so many events, whilst remembering the achievements and hard work of my predecessor Ian Cargill, in forming and maintaining the band over many years, and without whose efforts Arran Brass wouldn’t be as busy as they are.