Gavin Spowart sent me a photo of this poster which he found whilst clearing out a house, belonging to somebody affectionately known as Piggin Willie. (He might have been known by this name while working in the Pits in Blantyre?)
Willie Kennedy Smith passed away two years ago aged ninety eight in Dunfermline.
Gavin told me, “I first met Willie as a young schoolboy playing in Dunfermline Town Band where he played the Cornet. As far as I’m aware, Willie was a manager in one of the Pits in Fife at this time, possibly Blairhall?”
“Over the years he became a very good friend, I learned that he originally came from Blantyre moving to Oakley in Fife. As a schoolboy he won a scholarship to attend grammar school in the Blantyre area.”
Willie was a very keen self taught musician who had played in the clubs in Fife not only playing Trumpet, but could play Trombone and tuba. Indeed, every instrument in a Brass Band. A proud moment for Willie was winning the Scottish Championship with Lochgelly Band.
Gavin added, ‘I’m almost certain Willie is playing Trumpet on the Auchenraith Poster with Bairds Band in 1929.”
