Where it all began...

It was during the winter of 1878 that a group of Shotts St Patricks parishioners went to see the Parish priest, Father Sutherland, about starting a Parish band...Queen Victoria was still on the throne, Tchaikovsky was in the process of writing his 1812 Overture, Gilbert & Sullivan has just finished the production of 'HMS Pinafore' and Wagner was still alive!  After permission had been granted arrangements were made to have that inaugural first meeting when Shotts R.C Band officially came into being.  Times were difficult, wages were meagre however enthusiasm took over and the band bagan to take shape.  The first instruments were purchased - second-hand of course and one or two at a time dependant on the money the band had managed to procure.  Eventually there were enough instruments to have some semblance of a band and the first of many fine conductors was appointed - Mr J Reilly.  The band practiced and improved in ability and the band purchased it's first uniform in 1900!  Up until this time the band had not even thought about contesting but confidence came with experience and the idea of matching their musical ability against others became more than wishful thinking and Shotts band went on to become so much more than a practically unknown village band - first taking to he contest stage in 1906.  The band's first contest victory came in 1909 in Baillieston and the successes grew and grew - in 1934 the band made it into the first section - even making a live radio broadcast that year.  I am not sure who spoke those initial words but one thing is quite certain -those men had no idea that the organisation they were about to set in motion would span 130 years of highs and lows, good times and bad and a lifetime of memories for all of us who are privileged enough to be a part of Shotts St Patrick's Brass.

---