Star of the East
In May, 1925,ten men from L.O.L.184 Eastern Star decided that it was time Prestonpans had their own Flute Band,and so, with some friends formed "Star of the East". Amongst the founder members were Mr. White and Mr.Clelland and eight young boys(one of whom was R. Buchanan).

At the beginning the band practised in Materson's Hall, Cuthill and were taught by a fiddle player until the premises were condemned. The band then moved to the old Boat-House in Cockenzie, where their tutor Mr. Moonie from Musselburgh, was a Piccolo player. This didin't last long as the band moved again, this time to Prestonpans Public School where the music teacher offered his services. The band could not afford his fees, and moved to the "Old Comrades Room "at Harlaw Hill. The teaching was then taken over by J. Dodds. At this time the band decided to acquire a set of one-key flutes.

Drum-Major Tom Wallace led the band's first parade in Airdrie in 1926, and over the next few years changed over to six-key flutes.

By 1940 B.Hanratty had taken over the teaching. Around the same time "Grand Lodge" had ruled that all bands must wear uniforms and in order to comply the band aquired uniforms by courtesy of Edinburgh City Police. This caused some amusement when the uniforms were first paraded at Harthill.

Unfortunately Mr.Hanratty died in 1948 and the teaching duties then passed on to J. Blair. This arrangement lasted until 1956 where R. Buchanan took over the teching duties. "Auld Bob" retired and the teaching was taken over by either the flute sergeant at the time or one of the more experienced players. Unfortunately Bob passed away recently, and although unknown to many of the newer band members, he will still be remembered and missed by many past and present members.

The band was on the move again, after a short stay at the Mary Murray Institute the band setled at the Castlepark Social Club, more better Known as Billy's Bar. After the closure of Billy's Bar in 1995 the band then moved to the Blair Halls in Tranent, where the band still practice today, thanks to L.O.L.228 Tranent True Blues who own the hall.

In 1970 the band won 4th Grde prize with the march "Allandale", and the best drum prize at the Scottish Amateur Flute Band Assosciation 41st Annual Championship Contest in Glasgow. Since then there has been a few trophies for small competitions (mostly in the eighties), but we won the 'Loud & Proud" trophy at the Stoneyburn Crown Defenders band parade (2001)

More recently the band has had to struggle to survive, and sometimes struggled to get out on parade, but fortunately for us the band grew in the year 200 and since then although the turnouts have not been big they have been more respectable. This can only be possible because of the support and dedication of the band members who remember how it feels to struggle, and new ideas and enthusiasm of the newer members. We also would like to thank all the Lodges, Gala Committees, Rangers Supporters Clubs and not forgetting th public, whose support does make a difference.

My thanks goes to Stevie & Annmarie for the above

Anyone wishing to join the Flute Band should go along to the Blair Halls in Tranent on a Monday evening between 7pm and 9pm.