1946-1983: Bandsman Neil Harvie

Former Bandsman Neil Harvie

In the "Did You Know" section of the last issue I mentioned about writing of all the work Neil has done for our band. This goes back some forty years or so on some of the things that I was able to collect together, no doubt, there are many more. This was when the band, as he said was "just as poor as a church mouse which the band always was".

On Wed., May 11, 1983 after a short rehearsal, the band had a "Neil Harvie" night. Neil was presented with an original painting by Bob Green, also, a silver tray with the band's name engraved thereon. The reporter was there and a write-up plus a picture was in the paper the following day. This was in honour of all the time and effort put forth by this devoted and faithful member. Neil joined the band in 1946 and here are some of the things he has done for the KILTIES:

• In 1948 the band needed posters made for special concerts -
  - Neil made them & was offered money -- he accepted nothing. Nearly all the pictures, framing and lettering, has been done
  by him. Cost -- nothing.
• In 1949 he assisted in purchasing a new furnace by pledging his M.P.F. cheques towards the cost.
• Served on a special committee for the band tattoo which was held at Dickson Park in 1950.
• In 1952, Neil made a scale model of a new bandshell -- hours of work. At the annual meeting he was commended for
  this work but passed all the praise to Stan and Joe Burchill.
• An attendance record was kept in 1952 -- Neil topped the list with a 97% record.
• Neil's wife, Ethel (or "Cookie" as we called her) was a dedicated KILTIE supporter. She was on the KILTIE ladies auxilliary, made new drapes for the band hall at the market square -- accepted no money, helped in making lunches for socials and when Neil was working at the band hall, there was Cookie making lunch over a two burner hot plate. These are a few things I remember about her.
• In 1963 there was a testimonial dinner for Cecil Smith, Alf Lucas and Herb Schwartz. This was held at the Iroquois Hotel. Neil did all the planning for this event.
• Since moving into our band hall at Grand Ave. in Feb.`78, to the time of the special night in `83, Neil has done:
  • Set up our music library with Lloyd Noseworthy.
  • Put his name on a $5,000.00 loan along with others.
  • Never, (and I mean it), let the Bingo games down.
  • Made the storage cupboards in the property room.
  • Made new music stands in our band hall.
  • Donated personal furniture for our hall.
  • Repaired old Kiltie chairs.
  • Mounted the old, old drum heads for hanging + art work.
  • Made and installed our sink & cupboards in our kitchen.
  • Donated pictures and did the framing and lettering.
  • Designed and made our official Kiltie logo.
  • Made additional storage boxes for uniform accessories.
  • Spearheaded our 80th. Celebration at the Old Post Office
  • Restaurant -- a huge success.
  • Spent hours working with a lawyer to acquire our Constitution which was signed Jan.14, 1981

As at May of 1983, Neil has been with the KILTIES some thirty seven years of which twenty-seven years (73%) he has served on the executive. He also has the distinction of being the last person to play our large bass drum on parade -- this was at the Labour Day Parade in Toronto. The only time I cannot remember Neil with the KILTIES is when he and Cookie went overseas for a holiday. He left the KILTIES about ten years ago. How many thousands of hours he has worked for our band will never be known but the records are there and it will never be forgotten.

Sources:

Galt Kiltie Band Newsletter: Issue #15, spring 1997, written by Bob Fox

Retyped and posted to the web by band member, Graham Nasby, in 1999.

Reformated for new website on April 3, 2005.