Forth Bridges Accordion Band

New Premises 

Due to the increase in numbers joining the ranks of our band this last few weeks, the band is now on the look out for new premises as our current premises is starting to become too small.  The band is looking to rent / lease premises in this area with storage or land to put a moblie classroom on.  Anyone able to help with this situcation please e-mail accordionband@hotmail.com 

Band Celebrates Funding Success.

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band have recieved funding of £2000 towards new insruments thanks to Almond Funds (Edinburgh).  This money will be used to buy more accordions to enable us to meet the demands for people wanting to join our band.  Thanks to this funding, the band will no-longer have to turn away new accordion players.  

Bands Membership Almost Hitting 50!

 The Forth Bridges Accordion Band (which started of with 12 members) in just over a year is almost hitting a membership of 50.  The band continues to grow on a weekly basis.  Membership is open to all members of the community and spaces are still available for accordion players.  A waiting list is gradulally goinfg down for anyone who is interested in side drumming for the band.  Also needing a mace carrier for the front of the band too.  

Successful Collection Day at Duinfermline

 The band had another successful funraising day on Dunfermline Hight Street, where a total of £391.88 was raised for band funds.  Thanks to all the people who kindly contributed to our organisation.

Homecoming Parade a Success

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band Homecoming Parade attracted many local bands to take part in their parade and concert.  The bands included Rosyth Concert Band, The Pipers Trail, Leith Community Brass Band, Stockbridge Pipe Band, Camelon Pipe Band, Uphall Station Pipe Band and Dunfermline Pipe Band.  An amazing amount of £919.60 was raised.

Band Collection Day

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band had a collection and performance day at Queensferry Tesco on Sat 5th Sept and made a total of £370.80.  The committee and band members would like to thank the general public for their contributions!

Band Makes National News Papers

Who would have thought that a small community band would be part of a top report in all major national newspapers?  The Forth Bridges Accordion Band made the headlines when Edinburgh Council tried to block the band from helping the community to celebrate Homecoming 2009 as part of Scotlands year of rememberance of Robbie Burns.  Instead of supporting our event, Edinburgh Council tried to cancel it using various silly excuses for reasons why the event should not go ahead.  Finally, when this plan didn't work they hit us with a bill for road closurers, waste management and stewards.  We refused to pay such costs as other organisations don't need to pay for parades and appealed this decision which has now been withdrawn from the council.  

We take it for granted when we take part in gala day parades that its an easy thing to organise when you have the support of your local council but after our experience anyone living in the Edinburgh area who wants to hold a parade or protest be ready for the long bumpy ride.  

Pipers Trail coming to our Homecoming Parade

 I can now confirm that the Pipes Trail will be coming to our Homecoming 2009 parade.  The Pipers Trail travels all over Scotland promoting the teaching and learning of drums and bagpipes.  They visit various schools teaching and performing and put on performances in many towns and cities across Scotland during the summer.

The Pipers Trail will arrive on Monday 14th September.  They will then be providing workshops in local schools during the week leading up to Homecoming.  On the evening of Homecoming, the Pipers Trail will lead the Homecoming parade through Queensferry at 5pm.  Any children interested in taking part in the parade, please e-mail accordionband@hotmail.com for a Pipers Trail T shirt.

For more information on the pipers trail please visit www.thepiperstrail.com

Bands 1st Birthday

The members and committee will this week be celebrating the bands 1st birthday by having a birthday bash to celebrate all the successes that have been achieved this year.  Picture will follow on our "Meet the Band" page.

Another Successful Collecting Day

 Thanks goes to the Business Assocation of Grangemouth for their kind invite to our band to play as part of their Homecoming 2009 festival.  Despite a wet day, and the event having to be cut short, the band raised £147.50.  This is thanks to the generous contribution of the visitors and residents of Grangemouth, a town that deserves great credit for their contributions to our band.  The residents have supported the band by attending our prize bingo in the town, cheering us on at their Children's Day.  I hope this postive relationship can continue. 

Band Given Great Praise from Gala Day Committee Members

Letters and e-mails have been flooding in of support for our band.  All parades we have taking part in this year organisers have sent great letters of support to the band, a postive report from their local community on how much they have enjoyed our performances and music.  In fact, all our gala days have been so pleased to have had the band take part in their procession they have started to send their bookings for 2010.  Well done to all who have taken part in these galas and made our 1st year a huge success. 

Saturday 6th June - Another Band Milestone

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band took part in their very first gala today in Bathgate.  An early start for all, but everyone enjoyed their 1st of many to come days out.  The band sounded great for a newly formed band and all members who attended put in 100% of effort.  

Thursday 4th June - Band Set for 1st Gala

 This weekend is a new mile-stone for our band when we hit the streets and attend our very first gala ever.  The town to host this event is Bathgate.  The band will be leaving from the church on Glasgow Road at 9.30pm, taking part in the main procession, playing in the park and taking part in the grand parade in the evening.  The band will then move over to Linlithgow, where we have been invited to take part in the Deacons Court Parade along the High Street at 6.30pm.  A long day for our 1st ever day out on parade, outside of Queensferry but am sure it will be worth it!

Sunday 24th May - Band came 3rd in Raft Race

 Thanksto our team off fearless band members who took the water of the Forth for the annunal Raft Race.  We came 3rd, though questions have to be askedabout the suitablility of other teams taking part. Everyone enjoyed the day out, the band sounded great during the parade and afternoons concert. Thanks go to Andrew, Kevin G, Kevin Mc, Carol, Jake, Elaine, Ali and Pamelafor their team effort.

Sunday 24th May - Launch of Band CD

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band have just recently recorded their very first CD - New Beginings. The CD features many much loved tunes covering a range of music such as Hymns and Scottish Tradtional Music. This CD will be launched at the Rotary Club Raft Race (South Queensferry) on Sunday 24th May.  CD's will be available to purchase at this event for £6.  CD's are also available to purchase on-line by email accordionband@hotmail.com

CD's Songs List

1) The Saints / Red River Valley

2) This is the Day

3) Men of Harlech

4) Working Man

5) Maggie / Auld Hoose

6) Conventeers

7) Killcrankie

8) Grandfathers Clock

9) Bonnie Charlie / Loch Lomond

10) Brown Girl / Seven Tears

11) Tipperay / Home Fires

12) Royal Mile

13) Greyfrairs 

Saturday 18th April - Our Next Fundraiser 

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band are planning to Celebrate Homecoming 2009 on Saturday 19th September in their home town of South Queensferry.  The evening will consist of a marching band parade follwed by a family ceiligh.  At the momment 15 bands are taking part in our parade along the High Street starting at 5pm.  At 8pm the Ceiligh will take place at the local Primary School.  Tickets for the Ceiligh are £6.  Tickets are to be bought in advance, via this website.   Proceeds from this event will be split between band funds and Birth Tay (An IVF Treatement Unit) in Dundee.

Saturday 18th April - Band Makes £389.79 in Falkirk

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band had a marching band parade and collection day in the town of Falkirk.  The day started off with the band parading along the High Street to the band stand and playing various music all afternoon.  During this performance the band made an amazing £389.79.  The committee and members of the band would like to thank the general public for this great contribution to our funds.

Friday 17th April - Local Newspaper Report on band

29th MArch 2009 - Band makes over £300 playing in Stirling

 A big thank-you to the members of the public who supported our band who were performing outside the Thistle Shopping Centre on Saturday 28th March.  We raised an amazing £302.16.  Thank-you to the general public for their generous support.  

24th March 2009 - Band Performance

 The next band performance is on Saturday 18th April in Falkirk.  The band will be along the High Street fro the band stand to Bright House, returning the same route at 12 noon.  This will follow by the band perfomrming at the band stand for the afternoon.

24th March 2009 - Band Raises over £500 at Prize Bingo

The band recently held a prize bingo night in Grangemouth.  Thanks goes to Ann for organising this successful event, band members for playing at the event and local businesses for their continued support at these events.  A full house with most people going home not empty handed.  Those who did, still had the pleasure of hearing the band perform, which was recieved with high gratatue.   

4th March 2009 - Band Enters Team for Raft Race

Calling all supporters of our band to come along and support the band team and the annunal Rotary Club Raft Race in the River Forth on Sunday 24th May 2009.  Not only will the band be performing at the street parade they will also be entering a team into this event, to raise money for local charties.

1st March 2009 - Band Almost Hitting 40 Members!

Since our formation our band has really grown.  We have almost doubled in size since our first meeting.  We are still on the look out for new members learners or experienced for all sections.  We supply you with a free uniform, instrument and tution.  For more info e-mail accordionband@hotmail.com

14th Janurary 2009 - Band Fully Booked!

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band is in such high demand that they have a booking for every weekend this summer.  Our season starts with a raft race parade in South Queensferry in May and we are out every weekend from then until the end of August.  

12th December 2008 - Grant Recieved 

 The Forth Bridges Accordion Band recieved a grant of £2,500 from Awards for All.  This money will be used to purchase more accordions and band uniforms.

5th Decemeber 2008 - First Public Parade

Our band had their first public parade in South Queensferry.  We lead the annual Christmas Lights procession along the High Street and played after the lights switch on.  Although a cold evening we all kept warm in the local pub afterwards.  

27th November 2008 Grant Recieved 

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band recieved a grant of £1000 from Community Chest in Dunfermline.  This money will be used to purchase drums for the band.

17th Novemeber 2008  Grant Recieved

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band recieved a grant of £1,500 from Falkirk Council.  This money will be used to purchase accordions.

15th November 2008 - First Public Performance

The band had their first public performance playing on Princess Street in Edinburgh.  This was to collect funds for our band.  The locals enjoyed our music and the band members enjoyed being out together with the band.

30th July 2008 - Formation of our band

The Forth Bridges Accordion Band was formed.  The band had their first meeting in the Rosebary Halls where a committee was formed and over 20 members joint the band.  

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