Did you know :-
° that the Free Colliers’ Walk this year will commemorate the 144th anniversary of the formation of the Sir William Wallace Grand Lodge of Scotland?
° why the band plays the hymn tune "Crimond" first thing on Marches morning?
° that the band has an Honorary President?
The position is defined Constitutionally as someone who can be relied upon to represent the interests of the Band within the broader community although not part of the band committee.
The position is currently held by Euan Cutler who first played in the band aged 9 and is always ready with a jocular quip and praise for the Band.
Members of the mining villages of south-east Stirlingshire banded together to form the lodge, which was really an early trade union set up to protect pit-workers from exploitation and injustice. The local lodge in Reddingmuirhead is the last survivor of 66 and the walk is officially known as the ‘annual demonstration’. At Redding Cross, a wreath is laid in memory of the 40 miners who died in the Redding Pit disaster in 1923.
That particular tune is traditionally played at funerals and in remembrance of former friends and colleauges. The band's use on Marches Day is no exception - it is a moment's reflection on those musicians who have died since the previous Marches (or as one wag said "gone to the great bandhall in the sky") before we set off to enjoy what is one of the most joyful events in our local calendar.
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