Langholm Flute Band at the Thomas Hope Hospital gates in 1948
The exact date of origin of the Flute Band is not known. It played for the first time at the 1862 Common Riding and only makes two public appearances in the year. On the Common Riding morning it plays to rouse the residents for the 6.30am start. The night before - the Simmer Fair Nicht, the band musters at the Townfoot. Although there hasn't been a passenger train in Langholm since 1964, the custom of meeting the last train to welcome exiles and visitors to the Common Riding is still upheld. The band, many of them returning exiles, don't wear uniforms.
Pictured are:
Back row: Dave Elliot, Kit Elliot, John Elliot, Bert Weatherstone.
Front row: Andrew Jeffrey, Billy Ross, John Jeffrey, Davie Ross, Johnny Borthwick, Johnny Storey, Ross Calvert, Jimmy Ross, Graham Cuthbertson, John Ross, Jimmy Weatherstone, Robbie Jeffrey. The two boys on triangles are Tommy Elliot and Clark Irving.
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