City of Bristol Pipes and Drums

Staple Hill Christmas Fayre 2011

Written by Di Holl (Secretary) Sunday, 18 December 2011 16:29

 

The 10th. of December 2011. This was our last parade of the year. As usual the temperature was cold but it was dry and bright. There was a good turnout from the band and from the spectators who lined Broad Street five deep on either side for some distance. Everyone was wrapped up with thermal gear in an effort to keep fingers mobile.

Pipe Major Julian Smart was in charge with Drum Major Richard Bingham leading the band into the parade which contained every character from fiction and superman comics as well as the dependable motor bikers.

We marched off to the tap of Leading Tip James McMillan before striking up with Scotland the Brave as we hit the gates of the WDM yard.

Scotland The Brave. Photo by kind permission of Chris Gardiner

The Drummers Apprentice fills a gap. Photo by kind permission of Chris Gardiner

We continued down Broad Street past the square before turning into Pendennis Road where we counter-marched to the halt before escorting the Royal British Legion Colours back to their hall.

The Royal British Legion was pretty packed and getting in was no easy task. A stalwart band, now down to five, made it on stage and played a few melodies. The hall was hot and outside it was cold. This swinging temperature change is a challenge to the pipes but they survived a further exposure to the cold to play at yet another performance in the square on Broad Street. Congratulation to those four pipers, Di Holl, Ian Wyllie, Stuart McDowall and Andy Warn and Adrian Hart the bass drummer. They were rewarded with cups of tea purchased by an enthusiastic spectator.

Members of the Band

Pipe Major: Julian Smart
Pipers: Di Holl, Ian Wyllie, Carol Varney, Keith Turner, Colin Chapman, Andy Warn, Alan McKellar, Andy Ferguson, Clive Reid, Bill Rivett, Siobhan Mullen and Stuart McDowall

Drum Major: Richard Bingham

Leading Tip: Jim Mcmillan
Drummers: Adrian Hart, James Cowley, Chris Cooknell, Antony McGrory and Paul Brennan.

Also on parade, Drum Corp apprentice Sarah.