The Creetown Silver Band

The Quarrymen’s was originally built in 1865 for the Free Church of Scotland after the ‘Disruption’ of 1845; when members of the Church of Scotland left to form the Free Kirk. Then in 1876 the church it became a place of worship for Roman Catholics.

 

Down the road, in 1880, the band was founded by workers at the local quarry who raised £20 to buy instruments and formed the Creetown Silver Band; our venue's full name reflects and pays homage to their efforts. 

 

Originally the band practised in a little room on the High Road granted to the band by Samuel McKean. A quote from the band history encapsulates the hard work and dedication of the members of the band:

 

“On a rainy day, when work at the quarries was impossible saw them hard at it (practising) after breakfast, dinner and tea and not till 10 o clock had been reached did they consider sufficient time had been spent.”

 

The early 1900’s saw the band rehearsing in the town hall which was situated in the main street above a shop. Members paid 4 pence each week and in addition washed the floor when necessary, set the fire and trimmed the lights.

 

Next, in the 1950’s, they moved to the old church hall just over the bridge; and in the 70’s to the mission hall at Kirkmabreck Church.

 

A further move to the Waverly hall followed before finally, St Josephs Church  came on the market.

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It was 1996 when the Creetown Silver Band received funding from ‘The Foundation for Arts and Sport’ to purchase the now former, Roman Catholic Chapel in Hill Street, Creetown; the band found their home.

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The Creetown Silver Band maintained the former church as best it could until 2009 but by then it was becoming clear that maintenance costs would spiral and something had to be done. Following advice and the support from Creetown Initiative, a trust was formed and funding was secured to bring the building back and give it a new lease of life.

 

The new “Quarrymen's Arts Centre: Home Of Creetown Silver Band” opened on 3 September 2021 with a ceremony and performance by Creetown Silver Band. Other performances included a presentation by the Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre, a performance by singer/harpist Rachel Newton, the display of The Whitemill by Mark Zygadlo and “The Village and The Road” by Tom Pow and the Galloway Agreement. It was indeed a wonderful beginning to the Quarrymens Art’s centre and indicated the diversity of the venue as a performing space and our hopes for the future.  ​

 

In 2022 we were joined by guest programmers Bunbury Banter (Ali and Philip Anderson-Dyer) who have come on board to help us realise our ambition that that there will be something for everyone at QAC, as well as it being the home of the very special, Creetown Silver Band.