The Govan Citadel of the Salvation Army celebrated its 125th birthday last year by taking part in the Govan Fair’s 250th annual Procession.

This year, it’s the turn of the Citadel Band to celebrate with a musical concert.

People packed the Citadel hall recently to hear the renowned New York Staff Band. This was followed next day, by a special service and a celebration march through Govan from the Citadel to Govan Cross and back again.

Jennifer McMeeking, Band Secretary, said, ‘The turn-out was really good on both days and people enjoyed the music, prayers and marching.’

In 1882, a year after the Govan Citadel was established, the first band was set up by brothers John and Hugh McColl. They bought second hand instruments and practised in a damp room adjacent to the theatre in Portland Street, Govan. John was the first bandmaster and Melinda Molland was the Corps Officer at the time.

After five weeks of practising, the band gave their first public performance. The music included ‘Will you be there?’ and ‘Will you meet me at the fountain?’

Of the members of the first band, there was only one who did not work at the Govan Shipyard.

The current bandmaster is Brian Keachie, who continues to proclaim Salvation through his music.

The Citadel band will  play at the Glasgow Necropolis on Sunday June 10 at the graveside of Charles Fry the first ever Salvation Army Bandmaster.

Originally from Salisbury, Charles, with some of his family, formed the first Salvation Army Band, to accompany the Salvation Army founder William Booth on evangelist campaigns. It was Booth who said the immortal words, ‘Why should the devil have all the best tunes?’