Mr. Cummings And His Wee Red Book
One tradition, which has not faded away, has proved to be very useful in a variety of ways. It has also been a constant talking point and the butt of many jokes among our members and supporters, but the wee Red Book just refuses to go away. We must have gone through over a hundred of those red notebooks in our time; I hope our local stationers appreciate the trade we have given them!
Yes that Red Book accompanies the Band on every outing, whether official engagement or social event. No police-man could have done a better job of recording every humorous or untoward incident, missing member, latecomers, damaged instruments, incomplete uniforms, in fact every occurrence was noted down for future reference.
Many a Committee meeting or monthly Business meeting agenda was formulated from the information in the wee red book. It has been instrumental in encouraging discipline and good behavior in the ranks, as members who transgressed any of the Band Rules were liable to be fined.
We would be the last to say that our members are the last word in human perfection and this would be worn out by the amounts raised each year and recorded in the annual financial statement under the heading “Members Fines” few if any ever raised an objection to the infamous book and perhaps some were even proud to have got a mention in its pages. Whatever the case you can be sure that wherever the “Bridge” goes, there too goes the wee RED BOOK.