Lynsey Mcilwraith of Lochgelly Band in Fife tells us how a 'Keep on Creating' microgrant from Creative Lives helped this active band to keep their rehearsal space warm during the winter months.

"Lochgelly Band is based in the centre of our hometown in Fife. As well as being a brass band that competes at local and national level, the band maintains a number of regular charitable engagements in the local community.

In the summer months, the band leads the gala day parade through the streets of Lochgelly and also performs other outdoor concert engagements across Fife – such as St Andrews Bandstand.

In the winter months, the band has a diary filled with Christmas concerts – most notably our own annual concert in Lochgelly.  As well as hosting the concert, the band also needs to rehearse and the cost to heat our music hall is particularly heightened in the winter months. 

Thanks to our 2022 ‘Keep On Creating’ grant not only were we able to cover some of the costs of keeping our hall warm in the winter months, we even managed to purchase and serve hot mince pies and mulled wine, tea and coffee at our concert!

Our concerts are free of charge and are a great source of enjoyment for all members of our community – but particularly those who perhaps don’t socialise as much and are at risk of isolation. We were able to offer them a warm and welcoming evening with a little festive treat.

From January, the band starts rehearsals for the Scottish Championships, held every March (photo above from our performance) so to be able to get some support with heating costs definitely made for some more comfortable rehearsal nights. Thank you Creative Lives!2