Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band

I started playing cornet in school around 1971/72 and was taught by our present conductor Mr Ernest Ruddock.

I actually started on Clarinet but it was always brass I was more interested in.

I joined Laganvale on 21st January 1975 after being told by Mr Ruddock that girls were not permitted in the band he was conducting at the time (Agnes Street Band) - how things have changed!

My connection with Laganvale came by way of my father (James McMullan ) who played cornet and horn for St Thomas's band . He was a life long friend of Tommy Patton who was a stalwart of Laganvale and it was through Tommy's son John that I arrived in Wansbeck Street on that cold night in January 1975 and 33 years later I am still here!!

I have enjoyed the many concerts and contests we have taken part in over the years , especially the entertainment contests in the Isle of Man which we entered for about six years on the trot (who can forget the presentation of awards in the Villa Marina and the antics of Norman Wisdom !).

The trip to Bergen in Norway to take part in the Europeans was a great experience for me, plus our fantastic win in the High Peak Brass Championship in Buxton Derbyshire in 1999 .

The McAllister family has a long history with Laganvale Band; my father-in-law (James), my husband (Edwin), my daughter (Jamie), my brother-in-law (George) and not forgetting uncle Billy Brown (another stalwart) all have been players over the years.