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1880
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Mr.
John Barr and Mr. Rob Elliot raised £20 and purchased 20 brass instruments.
There were 20 bandsmen who, at the start, knew nothing about brass band
music.
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1881
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After
about two years of practice the band made its first public performance
under John Barr. Each member paid four pence per week.
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1887
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Trade
declined and many members left the district, some emigrating to the USA.
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1890
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A
revival. The band entered its first contest at the Floral Fete at Newton
Stewart.
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1900
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Mr.
John Barr retired as Bandmaster. Mr. Felix Slevin took over.
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1901
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Second
place at a contest in Castle Douglas. First place in a contest at the
Dalbeattie Show. Awarded Championship of Galloway
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1905
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Won
Ernespie at Castle Douglas. Willie Barr best Solo Cornet and Alex Young
best Euphonium. "Prize" inserted in the name of the band. Felix
Slevin leaves to conduct the Darvel Band. Mr. Robert Hughes appointed
bandmaster.
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1906
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First
prize again at Castle Douglas. Willie Barr best Solo Cornet and Robert
Hughes best euphonium.
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1909
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Granite
trade declines and several members including Mr. Hughes emigrate to
America. Mr. James Harvey agrees to become Bandmaster.
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1912
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New
uniform purchased. Band is placed first in the March and second in the
waltz at a contest at Newton Stewart.
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1914
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Bazaar
arranged to raise money for new instruments. Cancelled due to war. A loan
was given to buy 18 instruments.
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1916
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Band
forced to stop playing. Instruments stored.
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1919
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Band
restarted.
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1920
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Bazaar
held and £271 raised.
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1922
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Mr.
Harvey resigns and Mr. Louis Barr takes over.
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1923
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Mr.
Robert Hughes returns and takes over as conductor.
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1923
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Retiral
of Rob Elliot
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1924
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A
new uniform is purchased.
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1925
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Second
to Dumfries in a contest at Newton Stewart. New instruments purchased.
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1935
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£135
raised at sale.
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1939
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Most
bandsmen at the war. Activities cease till 1942.
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1942
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Veterans
and retired members restart to lead a Church parade.
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1949
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Contest
at Dumfries. Contest at Brampton. In prize list, W McKie won prize for best
solo horn.
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1950
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Won
march and third in selection at Dumfries.
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1951
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Second
place at a contest at Dumfries. Placed fourth out of sixteen bands at a
contest at Edinburgh.
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1952
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Mr.
R Hughes retires due to ill health. Two other stalwarts also retire, J
Campbell and J Kirk.
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1953
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James
Harvey takes over as conductor.
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1959
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Peter
McCleary becomes the new conductor.
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1962
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Alex
McDowall appointed conductor.
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1979
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Peter
McCleary again as conductor.
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1980
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Peter
McCleary steps down due to ill health. Alex McDowall takes over.
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1983
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Stuart
McNab appointed as musical director.
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1985
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4th
section contest at Motherwell. 16th place
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1986
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4th
section contest at Falkirk. 12th place.
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1987
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4th
section contest at Motherwell. 9th place.
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1987
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Whitburn
invitation contest.
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1988
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4th
section contest at Falkirk. 14th place
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1989
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4th
section contest at Motherwell. 15th place.
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1990
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4th
section at Falkirk. 2nd place.
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1990
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British
finals at Westminster Halls, London. 25th place.
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1991
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3rd
section contest at Motherwell.
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1994
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4th
section at Falkirk. 3rd place.
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1994
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Hardraw
Scar contest .2nd prize in 4th section.
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1995
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4th
section at Motherwell. 9th place.
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1995
|
Acquired
new hall using grant from the Foundation for Sports and Arts.
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1996
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4th
section contest at Falkirk. 6th place.
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1997
|
Opening
of new hall. 27th April by Mr. John Gracie, a past member of the band and
now Principal Trumpet with the RSNO.
At this event Leo McClymont, Jimmy Gilmour, Jim Owen and Harry Heaver
were presented with Life Membership of the SABBA by Mr. Peter Fraser MBE,
of the SABBA executive committee.
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