One of the Scottish brass band movement's most prominent supporters has been presented with a 50 year Long Service Award by the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Ronnie Tennant, the well known managing director of Band Supplies Ltd was presented with his medal at the recent Scottish Challenge Championship event, sponsored by his company, and held at Perth Concert Hall.

Kirky and Glasgow

Part of a highly respected brass band family, Ronnie enjoyed a playing a career with Kirkintilloch Band and the then CWS Glasgow Band, helping both become formidable domestic and national contesting outfits.

As the highly respected Band Manger of CWS Glasgow, he was instrumental in inviting Howard Snell, Roger Webster and Steven Mead north of the order — decisions that ultimately resulted in two National Championship victories in 1990 and 1996.

Expertise

In 1978 he set up Band Supplies Ltd — a business venture with renowned expertise in catering for the brass band sector.

Over the past five decades it has expanded to become a leading retailer in the education sector and other musical genres, as well as a generous, proactive supporter of the brass banding movement in Scotland and beyond — one that continues to place a great deal of emphasis on the future generations of brass band players.

He recently backed the campaign against charges being made for instrumental tuition in schools — one that saw him take the argument for tuition fees to be scrapped to the highest political levels in Scotland, and alongside his wife Ann, remains indefatigable in his proactive passion for brass bands.

I've enjoyed every moment and my passion for brass banding remains as fierce today as it has ever beenRonnie Tennant

Humbling

Ronnie told 4BR: "It was a very humbling moment to receive the award — one that took me back to my first involvement in banding with my father and my first contest with him in the same band at the Third Section National Finals in 1964.

I've enjoyed every moment and my passion for brass banding remains as fierce today as it has ever been. It means a great deal to me to offer something back and I will continue to do so — hopefully for another 50 years!"