Whitburn Band was formed in the heart of the coal mining area of West Lothian in 1870 and originally served as an outlet for members of the mining community to perform at local parades and gala days.Its first major contesting impact came in 1954 when it became the first Scottish band to secure a National title by winning the 3 section in London.Progression to the Championship section followed and in 1968 Whitburn won its first Scottish Championship title.Success continued during the early 1970s, but following the appointment of Major Peter Parkes in 1978, Whitburn dominated the Scottish brass band scene and became regular prizewinners in the major band contests in England.It made regular broadcasts and performed in many of the finest concert halls in Europe and in 1990 were