Barrhead Burgh Band’s Christmas concert turned into an extra special night for one player as she received a prestigious accolade.

Fiona Kennedy, the group’s vice-chair, was awarded the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) Life Membership Award in recognition of 40 plus years-service to brass banding.

The group’s chair Tom Allan made the presentation, on behalf of the SBBA, to the talented flugelhorn player, who did not know she was in line for the recognition.

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Tom told the Barrhead News: “The concert was very good, but the main thing of the night was the fact that for Fiona it was a total surprise for her, even when I was starting to speak about her she had no clue.

“She conducted our junior band years ago and it wasn’t until I said ‘This person also conducted the junior band’ that I think the penny dropped.

“She is a real asset to the band and a lovely person into the bargain.”

Fiona, who is from Paisley and also played for Johnstone Band for many years, was congratulated by several on the band’s social media page, with those who had attended the concert also praising her “fantastic” and “beautiful” Away in a Manger solo.

The event took place at The Wynd Centre in Paisley on November 28 and followed a similar concert at the same venue in November 2022.

This year the band once again impressed the audience with a range of tunes, including an extremely moving performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and further solos by Sarah Young and Colin McFarlane.

“The band played well and it was good to get out and playing again,” added Tom.

“We are looking forward to repeating it again next year and maybe we will have it in Barrhead.”

It was the latest performance by the historic group, who made a triumphant return midway through last year after disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

The band no longer competes, but has made huge progress since its relaunch.

It has recruited new players, including four who were inspired to return to playing after two or even three decades away.

As well as the band’s first concert last year, the group enjoyed a successful caroling season in the run up to Christmas 2022 and, in June, put on a concert at Bourock Parish Church in Barrhead with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Choir.

They are, however, on the lookout for new players of all ages.

The group is particularly keen to bring those whose previously played in the Levern Valley Community Brass Band into the fold.

The youth band unfortunately stopped when their conductor retired around the same time that the Covid pandemic took hold.

“We're looking for people that maybe have played or haven't played for a few years,” explained Tom.

“They can come along and get an instrument and try it out and see how they feel.

“There are also a lot of instruments out there and a lot of kids (who previously played in the Levern band) with instruments.

“Only two or three of them came to our band, so there must be quite a lot of young people sitting with an instrument.

“If they are not using them we would be glad to help take them off them, but to be honest we would prefer to see them and the instruments.

“Also if there are any charitable organisations within the area that would like us to play, we are quite happy to come out and play.

“We are not looking for a massive fee or anything. We are just quite happy to go and help people to maybe raise funds.”

Anyone who is interested in joining or knows any charities that would like the band to come and play should send an email to tom.allan42@gmail.com or by clicking HERE.