Bideford Youth Pipe Band

Three years certificates were presented to Vikki Andrew and Samara Mower, as well as certificates for the award winners at the christmas party and Millennium volunteer certificates.

Three years certificates were presented to Emma Pope and Stacey Hughes-Prouse by band President Ron Chumley.

This was our first trip to Delabole and we didn't really know what to expect, but it turned out to be a busy carnival with crowds along the whole route. We really enjoyed it, despite the slow moving majorettes in front of us (no offence).

First carnival for Roxanne Chalk on Tenor Drum.

27th July - Watchet Carnival

Another hot sunny Watchet Carnival, with the same appreciative crowds clapping the band around the whole of the carnival. The Band had the pleasure of being join by Vice Presidents Len and Diana Burden and our friends from Australia James and Jean Burden.

First carnival for our youngest piper Erin Andrew

9th August - Hartland Carnival

The band wasn't looking forward to this one due to problems in the past with coin throwing at the band, but with help from carnival marshals and our own band policing the problem was reduced. Steve Finnamore stepped in on side drum and what a great job he did. All in all the carnival has a good village atmosphere and everyone seems very very happy ;o) to be there.

It was touch and go whether we could get enough band members together to do this one, due to holidays, but we managed to get our bass drummer and side drummer there with minutes to spare thanks to Matt Tucker and his best F1 driving. We also found a uniform big enough for 6'5" David Crossley to join the band for the first time on pipes.

24th August - North Devon Mini Run - Bideford & Bideford Water Festival

The first of two days where we lead off 300 mini's, yes 300! on their annual trip around North Devon rasing money for Children's Hospice South West. This year it was tied in with Bideford Water Festival, so the band played a few tunes in Victoria Park to entertain the crowds. Oh and we can't forget what as action- man our treasurer George was in the Dragon Boat Racing.

Another double event day, leading off all those mini's again, but this time in hot sunshine and the crashing blue waves of Westward Ho! Then off to Cornwall to another seaside event, where we play alongside the Bude Canal.

The band have our annual Bar-B-Que here and we have to thank our Chairman Angus for doing all the cooking once again.

30th August - Seaton Carnival

Short of side drummers again due to work commitments, so the Pipe Major stepped in and saved the day, god isn't the Pipe Major good ;O). The Band lead the carnival, which is the first of the East Devon circuit (Bridgwater style carnival). This was the first time we've played at the carnival, but we play there every year for their Christmas shopping, but there's not usually this many people around.

13th September - Bideford Carnival

Phew what a scorcher for our own carnival. With only one band member away (Drum Major), the band was at it's best. We looked great and everyone put in their all. Well done everyone on this one!

Three years certificates were presented to Jennifer Gallimore and Katie Stoneman at the end of the carnival.

27th September - South Molton Carnival

Our annual chance to play with the North Devon Pipes & Drum after the carnival in the Square. Great fun, two bands marching up and down together with no room, lots of tangled drones and dodging swinging tenor sticks.

Have to thank Angus Harper and Rob Andrew for stepping at the last minute and helping Pete police the band at this one.

4th October - Crediton Carnival

Oooopps couldn't pick up the bass drummer from work, and with 45 minutes to travel 90 miles we didn't think we could make it. So Matt Tucker who just happen to be helping us out with band policing and who just happened to be our old bass drummer stepped in and did a gallant job in this very wet and cold carnival.

Thanks Matt and at least you didn't get soaking wet Darren!

18th October - Okehampton Carnival

Another cold Okehampton Carnival, managed this carnival dispite illness and injures, well done Stacey and Laura.

We also saw a glimpse of the Devon Fire and Resue Pipe Band who were Joined by the North Devon Pipes & Drums, playing ahead of us in the carnival.

25th October - Launceston Carnival

Illness stikes again, with no side drummers and our strongest blowers ill we couldn't afford to lose the Pipe Major on to side drum, so young Jamie Loder (14) stepped in off tenor drum and carried the band along on the side drum.

Well done Jamie, I bet you have muscles in places you never thought you had them!

1st November - Dolton & Dowland Carnival

The band led this torch lit procession around the village. At this carnival you can't help but get lost, as the carnival route does a figure of eight and we pass some of crowd at least four times.

We always seem to have a little fun on the march back to the cars at this one, with last year trying to march as fast as we could, which ended in a sprint to the finish. This year the drummers came to the front of the band, so the pipers decided to drop off the back and hide up a side road, while the drummers marched on into the moonlight, to fall out and find no one behind them. The pipers are not looking forward to the drummers revenge next year.

9th November - Remembrance Day Parade, Bideford

The band had the great honour of leading the Mayor, town council and other dignitaries to the war memorial for the wreath laying service. Stacey Prouse, as 2002 Best Band Member, laid the wreath for the band this year, the whole band were very proud of her.

15th November - Holsworthy Carnival

Our last carnival of the year and unusually for Holsworthy it wasn't freezing cold or pouring with rain. The only negative (apart from Jenny's drum falling off) to the carnival was the deep bass beat from the float in front, but the band handled it well and played together as a "team". After a quick performance in the Square, it was back to the church hall for the much needed hot pasty and a good old cup of tea.

29th November - Seaton Christmas Shopping

Traditional scottish music with traditional scottish weather. What a day, we met in Bideford where it was wet and windy, by the time the band reached Seaton it was gusting gales and lashing with rain. Thanks to Rob high-jacking the local youth club, we tuned up in the warm and dry. All tuned up we braved the weather and headed for the main shopping area, where we entertained all those happily Christmas shopping, not many about but we seem to be appreciated and were in invited into the Town Hall to play a few tunes for the coffee morning and craft fair.

Gemma Babb did a great job as stand-in bass drummer, also well done for solos by, Jay Andrew, Katy Hooper, Samara Mower and Jodie Inch. For a day of horrendous weather the whole band played well and everyone finished with a smile on their face.

The Andrew family broke a band record by having 5 family members out in uniform, as well as young Terri in an inverness cape and glengarry collecting for the Seaton Christmas lights.

13th December - End of Year Awards and Party

Wow another great night had by everyone. The first part of the evening started with the formal band performance and annual awards. A chance for the kids to show off their talents to their parents and the local dignitries, We played well and sounded good, although the pipes did suffer a little towards the end, due to the very hot room.

2003 award winners were - Best Piper - Laura Gubb * Best Drummer - Stacey Prouse * Smartest Band Member - Samara Mower * Most Promising Newcomer - David Crossley * Best Band Member - 1st Jamie Loder, 2nd Stacey Prouse, 3rd Darren Hooper. There were also awards given to Jodie Inch for Most Improved Piper and Jamie Loder for Most Improved Drummer.

The youth members entertainment - Well what can I say, from a belly dancer to a 6' 5" human Christmas tree being beaten by a crazy fairy. This years theme was "Scot Idol". Band members showed off their talents, I use the word talent loosely, in front of a panel of dodgy judges. Young 10 year old Tamsin stole the show with her rendition of "Winter Wonderland" and the less said about those 3 cider drinkers the better!

One of the most memorable moments of the evening has to be - Gemma's solo performance in "Caller Herrin". After several worried looks and mouthing "my strings breaking" from Gemma, and me telling her it'll be ok, the string on her tenor stick broke in mid flourish. Then as she bent over to retrieve her stick, her hat fell off and then picking up her hat she dropped her stick again. I could take no more and had to look away.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!