Author Archives: GordonH

Some famous cornetists of the music hall era.

There was a time when very few people played the trumpet and the cornet ruled the brass section. This ended in the early 30’s when dance band cornet players started switching to trumpet and classical composers phased out writing separate cornet parts in favour of the Bb and C trumpets. If you went to aContinue reading “Some famous cornetists of the music hall era.”

The Church of Scotland will cease to exist by 2040

(This article was originally written in April 2014 and is republished here from my previous blog). According to this article Church of Scotland membership has declined by at least 50,000 over the past three years (approx 17,000 per year). As the number of communicant members of the church is 446,179 a linear projection would show the ChurchContinue reading “The Church of Scotland will cease to exist by 2040”

Besson (Boosey and Hawkes) Serial Number List 1974-2002

This chart is primarily intended to help with the identification of Sovereign Cornets but will help with Identifying other Boosey and Hawkes made brass instruments. Serial numbers are in the format 928-817061. The first part represents the model number (in this case 928 which is a cornet) and the second part the consecutive serial number which youContinue reading “Besson (Boosey and Hawkes) Serial Number List 1974-2002”

HD Douglas and Son brass instrument makers of Glasgow

This is the summary of my research into Douglas & Son, brass musical  instrument makers of Glasgow. My interest in Douglas and Son started when I acquired a cornet with the company name engraved on it several years ago. I had never seen an instrument with a Scottish maker’s mark so I had it restoredContinue reading “HD Douglas and Son brass instrument makers of Glasgow”

Why the Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland needs a rethink.

The Campaign for a Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland was supported by many environmental organisations. The aim was to reduce litter and increase recycling rates. I was involved in the early part of the campaign. There was a lot of enthusiasm and it made sense. In hindsight, though, was very much “of its time”. TheContinue reading “Why the Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland needs a rethink.”