Published at 21:38, Wednesday, 18 July 2012

CAN you please express through your columns our appreciation of Langholm town band?

We needed a brass band to play us into Durham; any brass band would have done. We are all agreed that we didn’t get just any brass band. We got the best.

Burnhope village last Sunday was alive with talk of Saturday. We have it on good authority that we were the first band and banner the leader of the Labour Party saw, the only one and the last one as he left the balcony immediately after seeing us to be driven to the field to deliver his speech.

We were always going to have a great day. A lot of heartache and sleepless nights have gone into this banner. Langholm town band with your immaculate turn-out and performance made it greater to the point of it becoming magical.

If you don’t believe me, think back to your performance in front of the balcony and even more so the rapturous applause you got from the crowds sitting on the steps as we prepared to go down Old Elvet.

I don’t remember ever experiencing a time when I have had so many lumps in my throat and so many tears in my eyes. One of those moments which I have told everyone about was when we dropped into Durham and I said to the younger ones in the front seats of the coach: “There is the Cathedral straight ahead of you; that’s where you will be playing this afternoon.” The response was aaaaah/ whaaaah.

That was probably the biggest lump of the weekend knowing how much this seemed to mean to them. Young people get a bad press, yet when you witness the young people you have, be well proud of them and continue what you do and continue to nurture them. They are a credit to your band, their parents and to Scotland.

Thanks for all your help, friendship and kindness and for playing such a huge part in our day.

Joe Wilson

SecretaryBurnhope Lodge bannerBurnhope village

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