In what was a wonderfully uplifting gesture, the Scottish Brass Band Association recently made a very special presentation of Life Membership to Sarah Brooksbank.

It was made just nine days before Sarah sadly passed away at the hospice in St Andrews Hospital following her brave battle with cancer.

Thrilled

There was little sadness though as Sarah said she was "thrilled" to accept this accolade as, apart from her family and close friends, brass banding had been "a huge part of my life."

Seven of her banding friends went along to the presentation and played for her in the garden outside her room, while her best friend Lesley Smith had the honour of presenting her with the medal.

The presentation had been organised by SBBA secretary Tom Allan after it was found that the Buckhaven & Methil stalwart should have received her deserved recognition at the Scottish Championships in March this year.

However, when her lifelong friend Jayne Brown found out that she had missed out, she contacted Tom and set the wheels in motion.

Banding life

Sarah started playing the cornet at Methihill Primary School and went on to Buckhaven High School where she and Jayne played in the school wind band which made a recording of an LP entitled, 'No Strings Attached'.

While attending High School, Sarah joined Buckhaven & Methil Brass Band in 1974. She left for London in the mid-1980s where she played with various bands, but on returning to Scotland she played with Tullis Russell Intermediate Band and Dysart Band before transferring once again to Buckhaven & Methil Miners.

National Finals

In March she was in the ranks to contribute to their runner-up position in the Fourth Section at the Scottish Championships, and despite being too unwell to attend the National Finals, wished her beloved band the very best. She sadly passed away on the weekend of the event.