Tullis Russell on the Move
After 91 years of being based within the Tullis Russell Mills paper mill site the Tullis Russell Mills Band have now moved out to the Woodside Community Hall in nearby Woodside, Glenrothes. The move was brought about by the current band hall being demolished to make way for a new Eco Visitor Centre at the mill. The Tullis Russell Group are embarking on a major new project to build a new eco friendly power station within the mill using recycled products as it’s fuel and the visitor centre is part of the project. Band Chairman Alan Douglas said “the thought of moving was a daunting one but after being in negotiations with Fife Council for almost 2 years the band was able secure a fantastic facility for the band to rehearse in. The hall has a stage, storage facilities, kitchen, disabled access and can seat 200 people so it is hoped to use the new band hall for concerts and brass workshop days as well as our rehearsal nights” The band will have sole use of the hall but will make it available to other local community groups. The first event in the new hall was a very successful band social night which raised a few hundred pounds for band funds on Friday (30th) night.
The main concern about the new hall was the acoustics, but after some minor cosmetic work the bands new resident conductor Martin Ramsay commented “that he was very happy with the sound within the hall after his initial thoughts when being told the band were moving to a local community centre”. Other bands who may be taking part in contests in the Glenrothes/Kirkcaldy area will be made welcome to use the hall on contest days.
All three bands within the Tullis Russell organisation, the senior band, the intermediate band and the youth band have all now rehearsed in the new hall and are enjoying their new home. Woodside was the first village in the Glenrothes area and was set up to house workers at the Tullis Russell mill so it’s fitting that the bands new home is in this area