October 2nd - Crediton Carnival

Not as wet as last year, but we still got wet. Tuned up under some trees to try to give us some protection. The crowds were impressive along the main shopping street. Quite a few Majorette Troupes (at least 4) in the carnival, which always leads to a lot of starting and stopping, they don't seem to be able to just keep marching, they have to keep stopping and show their skills at dropping their batons, beats my why. Anyway we did manage to take off our capes and do the second half of the carnival in the dry.

Plus point of the day - Despite the rain I can't remember hearing any moans or groans, well done band!

September 25th - South Molton Carnival

Lucky not to get wet at this one, rained all afternoon and only stopped when we got to South Molton. At the end of this Carnival we usually join up with the North Devon Pipes and Drums and play a few tunes in the square. But unfortunately they weren't there this year. The carnival flowed really well and was over in no time.

First Carnival for Band Policeman Simon Inch.

Plus point of the day - All over in an hour.

September 4th - Bideford Carnival and Massed Bands

Wow! What a night, the carnival went well, a little too hot but on the whole we played well. Thank’s to Tony Doherty from the University of Luton Pipe Band for tuning us up and sorting out our pipes. The Massed Pipe Bands went really really well and the cheer we had after we played Highland Cathedral with the Brass Bands was unforgettable.

A huge thank you for all the players that turned up to make it a great night and let’s hope we can do it again!

Plus point of the day - The huge high the band felt after the massed bands.

September 1st - Another Congratulations

What have I started, in the last 9 months 4 people in the band have passed their driving tests. The latest to join the list is our Band Policelady Mandy, Well done!

August 30th - North Devon Mini Run (Westward Ho!) and Bude Lifeboat Day

An early start but another great turn out of mini’s and people to wave them off. After a few tunes the Mayor cut the ribbon and we led them off on their tour around North Devon.

Then it was back to the cars and heading for Bude for our annual Bar-B-Que before we played a few tunes to help raise money for the R.N.L.I.

Plus point of the day - New cook on the B-B-Q and the sausages weren’t burnt and tasted great, thanks Simon Inch (Joanne’s dad)

August 29th - North Devon Mini Run (Bideford) and Bideford Water Festival

Question of the day was - Are we going to get wet today? We timed our performances well and even had a little sunshine between the heavy drizzle showers.

Our first task of the day was to lead at least 250 Mini’s out of Victoria Park and along Bideford Quay. The Mini’s seemed as if they were everywhere in the park, wherever you looked there was a Mini peeping out.

On our second performance we had to march into Victoria Park, and play a few tunes to entertain the crowd.

Plus point of the day - We didn’t get wet!

August 28th - Bradworthy Carnival

This one never seems to change, a couple of laps around the town square and up a dirt track, the band is always well appreciated here, well Dave had a cheers from all his friends and neighbours of Bradworthy. We try to hide him in the middle but it’s not easy to hide someone who is six foot six.

First ‘proper’ time out for Charlotte Gubb on Tenor Drum.

Plus point of the day - Refreshments after.

August 21st - Bude Carnival

Another slow wind around the streets of Bude. Lots of starting and stopping which means lots of piping and not many drum solos, but we played well and I’m sure everyone was pleased to see the finish.

Plus point of the day - The small boys face when Mike played Happy Birthday to him outside his house, I’m not sure if he was just stunned by Mikes playing or was just scared stiff.

August 15th - Burma Star VJ Anniversary Parade, Weston-super-Mare

Apart from not having anywhere to park and not having a clue what we were doing all day, this was a good little parade and the band played well as a unit, and by the amount of compliments given to us by the veterans marching behind, they were as proud of the band as I was.

Well done to Mike for his Lament in Church, you sounded great.

Plus point of the day - Had to be an old gentleman that after finding out that we were from Bideford. Came up to us with tears in his eyes to tell us he was a Bidefordian and how proud he was to march behind us.

August 14th - Tintagel Carnival

Our first time at Tintagel. We led the Carnival up through the main street and were amazed by the size of the crowd. Then we turned off and weren’t too sure where we were going, and just hoped that the couple walking in front knew the route, as there wasn’t a sole watching here. A last we reached the main street again just as the fire engine at the rear of the carnival was passing the junction, what timing. We finished where we started in a field on a cliff top over looking the Atlantic Ocean.

Plus point of the day - Not a plus point for me, but it certainly was the man who took a photo up my kilt, cheeky ;o)

August 12th - Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Way-to-go Darren for passing your driving test! You can now get out in your car instead sitting in it and polishing it ;o)

August 11th - Combe Martin Carnival

What a downpour before the Carnival, but the rain held off for the parade down the long street to the seafront. Where the band had a great reception from the crowd.

Plus point of the day - Thank god (or Mr Anthony) for Inverness capes!

July 31st - Crackington Haven Carnival

Great little Carnival ending with a brilliant Fete. The Fete is a cross between “Vicar of Dibley” and “Royston Vasey” with the traditional hog roast, tombola and local band playing in the corner to a human fruit machine, axe throwing (for everyone!) and even a man catching a bullet in his teeth. All set in a field on the North Cornwall coastline over looking a shimmering Atlantic Ocean.

The band had a more rounded sound this week and Steve had his annual engagement on side drum.

Plus point of the day - Seeing a man catch a bullet between his teeth. How did he do it? Standing only 2 metres away from a random lady from the crowd firing a gun bought from Woolworths, I’ll never know….

July 25th - Watchet Carnival

Not one of our best visits to Watchet. On turning up, we found we had no parking provided for us and no one really interested in helping us, so by the time we found parking (which is impossible on carnival day in Watchet) it left us with 25 minutes to tune the band and all the other various things needed to be done before a carnival.

Thanks to the Watchet Town Band for use their room to tune up in (it wouldn’t have been easy amongst the noisy floats), and to the Brownies for the use of their loo. We managed to sort of tune the band and make it around the Carnival.

First Carnival for Joanne Inch on Pipes and we were also joined by guest pipers Len and Diana Burden from the Avon Glen Pipes and Drums.

Plus point of the day - The effort made by the band members to put out the best band we could for the day.

July 17th - Delabole Carnival

As usual the band were well received here, the weather was good and a great tea after (when we found where it was ;op).

Plus point of the day – Didn’t have to follow the Majorettes this year!!!!!

July 11th - North Devon Army Cadet Parade, Bideford

This one was a bit different for the band. Leading about 160 Army Cadets to church. We had a couple of practices with the Bideford Army Cadets and had to up our tempo to help keep them in step. So we led the Cadets through Victoria Park and along the Quay at what seemed like an infantry pace to us, and a Sunday afternoon stroll to the cadets.

Plus point of the day – It’s good to do something different and be adaptable.

July 3rd - Lord Mayors Parade, Plymouth

A few of the older members went to join the City of Plymouth Pipe Band for the day. We tuned up in the Citadel before leading the Lord Mayors Parade around Plymouth. With 24 pipers we must have been an impressive sight.

Plus point of the day – No youth members to look after, so we could join in the traditional “retire to a public house for much needed refreshment” :o))

June 27th - Holsworthy Vintage Rally and Bideford Music Day

The day started at Holsworthy Vintage Rally for our first of two performances which as always finishes with the band marching off to “No awa to bide awa” and Mr Charles Cornish (event commentator) singing along. The kids in the band now manage not to get into fits of giggles when we’ve gone into the next tune and he’s still singing along to No awa to bide awa.

Our second performance also included a special D-Day tribute. Mike had to lead in the military vehicles and play a few of the tunes as played by Lord Lovat’s Piper Bill Millen on the actual D-Day landing.

The Day ended at Victoria Park for our performance at the Bideford and North Devon Music Day. The event was running nearly an hour behind so a little hanging about, but we had a great reception when we got on, so it was worth the wait.

Plus point of the day – The finish of a long busy weekend!

June 26th - Liskeard Carnival

This year a very very wet Carnival. After the Carnival we met up with the City of Plymouth Pipe Band played a few tunes and took a few photos. Click here for picture

Plus point of the day – They shortened the route this year, so we didn’t get as wet as we could have.

June 13th - Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration

Poor turn out once again by band members, but we played well on a hot sunny afternoon. Young Charlotte Gubb had the fright of her life when we placed a hat and Tenor Drum on her for the first time to make up the numbers, well done Charlotte.

Plus point of the day – The joy on Mr Davis face when we played a few tunes for him, including a solo of Amazing Grace (by Jodie) to say a big thank you for his very kind gift of a set of pipes to the band last year.

June 4th - Appledore Visual Arts Festival

We played on the Quay side with the tide in, on a beautiful evening, we drew quite a crowd and they seemed very appreciative. A big thank you to the Quay Gallery and Coffee Shop for much needed refreshments, it was very kind of you.

Plus point of the day - Marching through narrow Market Street (only 2 and a half pipers wide), the drummers seemed to enjoy it, well it sounded like it anyway!