2005 was another busy year for Newland Concert Brass! 

In March the band finished 4th in the Third Section at the Scottish Brass Band Championships. Everyone was extremely happy with this result and felt it was a great achievement since they only gained promotion to the Third Section the year before.  In April they were in concert with the Lowland Band of the Scottish Division. 

As part of Scottish Brass Band week in May, Newland played a concert with Kings Park Brass.  Friends and family were also invited to hear both the main band and the training band at an open rehearsal in Bathgate. 

The month of June saw the band participate in events for the Bathgate Procession and John Newland Festival as well as several other galas throughout West Lothian.  A unique event for the band was ‘Pipefest’ in August where Newland played amongst 10 000 in a parade, culminating in a massed bands performance at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. 

The band played for the Bathgate Pensioners group in October.  In November they took part in the Annual Whitburn Entertainment Contest and also the Armadale Armistice Parade.  A particular highlight for NCB was an invitation to play at the prestigious Scottish Challenge at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.

The month of December saw Christmas engagements in Bathgate such as the Torchlight Procession, concert at St John’s Church and Christmas Eve service at St David’s Church.  The band also played carols in and around the Steelyard as part of the late night opening times for Christmas shoppers, organised by The Bathgate Traders Association.  Newland Training Band enjoyed a Ten Pin Bowling night where they said goodbye to their tutor Sarah Findlay who has started a new job.  President Jim Walker thanked Sarah for all her hard work and a presentation was made at our Annual Christmas Concert at St John’s Church.

NCB is twinned with the Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps in Germany. In August and October 2005, Newland welcomed and entertained members of the Fanfarenkorps who were visiting Scotland.  Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2006.