The 160th anniversary of the founding of Bo'ness & Carriden Band was marked by a fine evening of entertainment at their local town hall. 

It was the 30th time the annual event had been held, and on this occasion the themes neatly reflected various anniversaries - some personal, others collective.

Energetic fashion

‘Enter the Galaxies’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper opened proceedings in energetic fashion, before the first solo item came with a fine rendition of ‘Legacy’, written by Tom Davoren to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, and excellently played by soprano Dianne Waugh. 

The 20th anniversary of the band’s 1998 concert was marked with Gareth Wood's ‘Japanese Slumber Song’ before flugel player Hayley Edmond produced a wonderfully lyrical take on PLC’s evocative ‘By Travone Bay’.

Philip Harper’s centenary celebration of the life of Roald Dahl - ‘The World’s Greatest Storyteller’ rounded off the first half with music as tasty as a Willy Wonka everlasting gobstopper. 

Fittingly, with the centenary of Armistice Day on the horizon, Gavin Somerset’s ‘In Flanders Fields’ was a timely reminder of the sacrifice made by local men and women in the First World War. Interwoven with the chilling sounds of ‘The Last Post’ it was played with due reverence by principal cornet Hugh Foster.

Philip Harper’s centenary celebration of the life of Roald Dahl - ‘The World’s Greatest Storyteller’ rounded off the first half with music as tasty as a Willy Wonka everlasting gobstopper. 

Future stars

Future aspirations were displayed with the Junior Band who opened the second half with cracking renditions of ‘I wanna hold your hand’, ‘Ode to Joy’ and ‘Crocodile Rock’ featuring the brilliant ‘nippers’ Ellie Robertson and Craig Bruce, before the senior returned for ‘Mack and Mabel’.

Absent friends were remembered with Evelyn Glennie’s ‘A Little Prayer’ before the lively ‘Opus One’ by Cy Oliver and the rousing finale of ‘Mansions of the Lord’ brought things to a conclusion. The encore of ‘New York, New York’ put a Sinatra inspired spring in everyone’s step.

Scott Robertson