Pat Rowland - UNISON's Scottish Treasurer attended a concert by UNISON's sponsored Band (the former Kinneil Colliery Band) when she discovered that no-one from UNISON attended their concerts.

Never having been attended a brass band concert, I didn't know what to expect. I arrived to a packed hall and was ushered to a seat near the front. (Difficult to escape if I wanted to.) The band entered in their smart concert uniforms.

The age range was between 16yrs and 60yrs from all walks of life. From school and university students to council employees - one was Head of Cultural Services for a Local Authority.

The concert was excellent, covering a wide range of music. I was particularly impressed by Highland Cathedral where they were joined by a lone piper. This piece was a tribute to one of their colleagues who had died. There wasn't a dry eye in the hall including mine.

I was extremely pleased that I attended the concert and ashamed that no-one had attended in the past, despite them using our name as the main sponsors. We should be very proud of this band and the fact that they win or are rated highly in many band competitions throughout Britain.

They also recruit and train young people to join their youth section, nurturing and encouraging them until they are able to join the main band. I met some of the young and not so young band members and supporters after the concert. They had changed into their very smart travelling uniforms sporting their UNISON badges on their blazers.

I hope some of the branches will support and encourage OUR band and I look forward to attending more of their concerts in the future and will be buying a copy of their first CD. www.kinneilband.co.uk/

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