THE St Boswells Concert Band is preparing for its Concert in the Borders Brass Band Association season this Saturday evening, September 27, in its new home in Newtown St Boswells where they have been rehearsing over the summer at the Community Wing at the bottom of Sprouston Road.

The band, under the baton of musical director Colin Crozier, are mounting a varied and entertaining programme in the main hall of the Community Wing and all from the village and beyond will be made welcome for the musical event which starts at 7.30pm.

St Boswells Concert Band have been around for many years in one form or another and are one of the oldest bands in the Scottish Borders with documented evidence of their existence back to the start of the 20th century and it is possible that they were already a musical combination at the end of the 19th century when the railway came to Newtown.

It is fitting therefore that they should set up home in the village as the return of at least part of the former railway is less than a year away.

For all of the 20th century the band practiced and were based at St Boswells Village Hall but were forced to move just after Christmas last year to make way for alterations to the hall there. What was supposed to be a temporary move has now become permanent because what was the band room is now unsuitable for practices.

The Community Wing Committee and the Newtown and Eildon Community Council have been very supportive and have welcomed the musicians to their village.

A spokesman for St Boswells Concert Band told us: “We are delighted to be here in Newtown, especially as it is our intention to launch a junior band. For that we need a permanent home with easy access and this place has lots of parking space for parents to drop off and pick up their kids without the need for any of them to cross busy streets. We hope the locals in Newtown will come along and support us on Saturday night. They are assured of a warm welcome.” Tickets for Saturday’s event are currently available, priced only £5, from band members and can also be bought at the door on Saturday evening. Teas will be available at the interval and there will be a raffle in the hall.