Wishaw Press

Newmains Band British champs!

‘Fairytale’ win puts them in top league

- Michael Temlett

Newmains and District Brass Band’s British Championsh­ip win has been described as a ‘fairytale’.

Band member Graeme Goldie was left lost for words after the band’s success last weekend in Cheltenham.

The band became the first Scottish winners at the event since 1973 and the historic achievemen­t has been lauded throughout the brass band world.

After reforming in 2015 – 20 years after their last performanc­e – original band members teamed up with new faces to help deliver the triumph.

After success at the Scottish Championsh­ips earlier this year, the brass band exceeded all expectatio­ns.

It hasn’t been an easy few months for the band as well, between the tragic passing of co- founder Siobheann Saville and several illnesses.

But the band gritted their teeth and a delighted Graeme said: “There honestly aren’t the right words in the dictionary to describe it.

“I don’t know how we’ve managed it in such a short space of time and when we were discussing getting the band playing again a couple of years back I never thought this would happen.

“Even in the run- up to the competitio­n we had people who were in hospital or ill and we didn’t know if we would have a full band. On the day of the contest, our Repiano player, Megan Monkhouse was rushed to hospital but thankfully she’s making a speedy recovery.

“It’s fairytale stuff and I honestly can’t believe it’s happened.

“Historical­ly, Scottish bands don’t do well at the British Championsh­ips and the fact we were the first winners since 1973.

“We have so many people to thank for helping us along the way. We would however like to say a very big thank you to our friends at SBBA, St Patrick’s for the use of their band hall, the NCT Centre, Shotts Bon Accord Social Club, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Alan Fernie and Richard Evans.

“The moment will live with us for the rest of our lives. It took endless amounts of practice, determinat­ion and team work, but it has most certainly paid off and was worth it.”

It’s fairytale stuff and I honestly can’t believe it has happened . . . Graeme Goldie

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 ??  ?? Silverware success Michael Marzella, the musical director for the band, lifts the trophy DelightD First Scottish winners since 1973. Left, Graeme Goldie outside the N NCT Centre. Below, band m members cheer at their proud achievemen­t of winning the...
Silverware success Michael Marzella, the musical director for the band, lifts the trophy DelightD First Scottish winners since 1973. Left, Graeme Goldie outside the N NCT Centre. Below, band m members cheer at their proud achievemen­t of winning the...

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