Three life medals awarded

At a recent concert in the North Kirk, Penicuik there was a triple surprise for three of the performers. The event was a joint concert held between Penicuik Silver Band and their guests St David’s Brass, together with their combined youth bands.

It was during St David’s performance that the three players, all from the cornet section, were both surprised and delighted to be awarded their life membership of SBBA from Stuart Dickson, Chair and Principal Cornet of St David’s.

It was an appropriate venue for the first recipient, Tony Laidlaw, as he started his playing career with Penicuik Silver Band in 1971 on both tenor horn and cornet. After some 37 years here, he moved to St David’s where he has been soprano cornet for the last 15 years.  Tony also plays horn and sometimes French horn (the instrument he took up at school) for concerts and ensemble work. For the last 12 years Tony has performed at various formal occasions as State Trumpeter.

Morag Carrie was next to receive her medal. Morag began her playing career with Long Melford Silver Band in 1983 where she played cornet. Following this, she played with Alva Band and later with Barnoldswick Town, Otley Town, Peebles Burgh Band, before a short period at Penicuik Silver band.  Since 2013, Morag has been a stalwart of the cornet section at St David’s.

Fiona Dickson started her banding career with Kirkintilloch Silver Band in the early 1970s on percussion. Fiona has also played at the top level of banding with Kinneil, Whitburn, and Scottish Co-op - all as a percussionist. In 2011 Fiona opted to join the rest of her family and move to St David’s, first on percussion, but latterly as a cornet player where she sits beside her grandchildren.