Supported by

The blue uniform of the band is well recognised in Bathgate and West Lothian as a result of playing at concerts in venues such as the Jim Walker Bathgate Partnership Centre, The Regal Connect Theatre, The British Legion, Bathgate Academy and local churches as well as community events such as Party in the Park at Kirkton Park, Bathgate Music Festival and local gala days. We have raised thousands of pounds for many charities over the years including Cancer Research UK, The British Heart Foundation, CHAS, River Kids and the Bennie Museum.  

We have always encouraged youth development and we have a youth band and training section too.  

We have contested in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sections and have qualified for the British Championships five times.

Notable engagements in the band’s history include a performance on the TV programme Challenge Anneka, an appearance on the BBC Children in Need, a concert at the opening of Bathgate Partnership Centre and joint concerts with the Lowland Band of the Scottish Division, The South Kirk Singers and several local primary schools.

Our band welcomes players of all ages and abilities and currently has players aged from 8 to nearly 80!  

History

The band was formed in 1987 under our original name of Newland Concert Brass. Our first ever rehearsal took place in Newland Academy in Bathgate, West Lothian.  Since then, the band have had several rehearsal venues but now have their own bandhall in Bathgate.

In 2022, the band decided to rebrand, introducing the new name of Kirkton Brass Bathgate. A new band logo was also introduced at this time.  Kirkton is an area of Bathgate and as we are based in Bathgate, we wanted our name to reflect this.  Our 3 span arch logo symbolises an important historical landmark in Bathgate (The Kirkton Park Arch and Stuart Gates) which is situated at the entrance of Kirkton Park in Bathgate.  In recent years the 3 span arch logo has been used to rebrand the town of Bathgate and can be found on street signs and historical plaques around the town.  The 3 span arch logo also looks similar to the iconic 3 span spruce arch that has been part of Bathgate Procession and Community Festival over the years.  The Procession is an event that our band take part in every year.  

James (Jim) Walker MBE

(30-07-44 to 16-06-21)

Jim was associated with the Band since its inception in 1987 and was one of the founding members.

Over the years, he served on the Committee as Secretary and President and always supported - and took a great interest in - all the band was doing. He instigated the partnership between the Band and the Fanfarenkorps Neheim-Hüsten in Germany’s Hochsauerlandkreis – a partnership that is still going strong after more than 30 years. Jim and his late wife, Nancy, accompanied the Band to numerous events – concerts, contests, visits to Germany and to the National Brass Band Championships in London, Harrogate and Cheltenham. He often compèred at band concerts and was particularly proud to be part of the Band’s 30th Anniversary concert and photo exhibition in 2017.

Jim’s local knowledge of West Lothian and its people was legendary and nothing was ever too much of a bother to him. He was a councillor for over 30 years and was involved in many other community groups. He was a past chieftain of Bathgate Highland Games and president of Bathgate Thistle Football club. He was also elected to the Bathgate Procession committee when he was just 18 and was awarded an MBE in 2014. 

He was a deeply committed, dedicated and approachable gentle-man who was always friendly and professional. He is greatly missed by the Band, in Bathgate and West Lothian and by our friends in Germany.