26th December - Bideford v Barnstaple Football Match

Well this was a first for the band, playing on Boxing Day. This was the local derby match and always brings in a big crowd. We played twice - before the match where we marched on to about six people watching and have to play in the middle of the pitch while the teams warm up. This was fine until the Barnstaple goal keeper was practising his long kicks and high balls, well all I could say was his directional kicking skills had a lot of brushing up to do and we spent about ten minutes dodging balls and our band police force became band goal keepers. After the team went off we went to the side of the pitch to form a guard of honour for the teams. The teams came out and were all introduced to our MP Geoffrey Cox and then to my surprise I had present each of our band members as well. I'm not sure they all knew who he was but they know it was someone important and all smiled sweetly. We also played at half time with a nice big crowd and did a collection for the band, thanks to the hard work of our police force and the generous crowd we collected £165.03. The score in the end was Bideford 7 - Barnstaple 0. Don't know why but Bideford always seem to win when the band plays for them....

17th December - End of Year Awards and Christmas Party

We started late because we were hanging on for our incoming and outgoing Chieftains to arrive and thought it improper to start without them, but after 15 minutes we decided to go ahead, people were getting nervous hanging around and I was worried about the pipes suffering from being outside in the cold and then playing in a hot room. So we entered and the pipes had suffered from the cold but after a few tunes it all came back together and sounded OK. After most of our first half of the performance and the ceremony of the rocks (where Chieftains are exchanged) fast approaching and no signs of our Chieftains we slipped in a few extra tunes to fill time and when we were just about to play Highland Cathedral, the tune before the Chieftains bit they arrived. Just before our 2005 Chieftain Pat Ferguson passed on the title to our 2006 Chieftain, her husband Robert Ferguson, she presented a little momento to Vic Lessie for being chieftain at the Massed Bands on Bideford Carnival Day and a very emotional moment it was for all. Then onto the award winners for 2005 who were:-

Best Piper - Laura Gubb * Best Drummer - Darren Hooper * Smartest Band Member - Vikki Andrew * Most Promising Newcomer - Richard Cole * Best Band Member - 1st Darren Hooper, 2nd Laura Gubb, 3rd Vikki Andrew. This year we had a new award for commitment and attendance and the first winner of this award was Joanna Inch.

The youth members entertainment - This year's play was 'Grease' with two Sandy's and two Danny's not sure why, but then why not. They did a great job and some great singing and dancing from everyone. One persons stage presence and sense of rhythm stood out and that was Chris, he looked like he was enjoying every minute of the lime light. Well done you lot you were great!

Surprises of the Night - We presented Fergie with the map of his journey around the South West raising money for the band. We added a few photos to it and got everyone in the band to sign it.

After we presented all the band members with a little thank you I had my big surprise for the night. The band gave me a new set of Niall pipes, and I really can't explain how gob smacked I was, all I can say is a big big thank you. Mike and I would also like to thank all the band members for all their presents and boy were there a lot of them - coffee maker, dart board, chocs and booze, it make us feel like you actually like us a little bit (he he!).

I think the whole night was a great success and let's look forward to a great 2006.

10th December - Turning on of Bideford Christmas Lights

Short little parade leading the Mayor from the Town Hall to the High Street where she turned the Christmas lights on. We played a few tunes before leading her back to the Town Hall.

This was the first time the side drummers had worn their new drum harnesses.

November 26th - Pyworthy Christmas Lights

To tell you the truth and I really wasn't looking forward to doing this one. To venture out in the cold to the middle of no where and play for a handful of people isn't my favourite thing to do on a Saturday night. So when we had snow across the county on Friday I was rather hoping it would be cancelled. By the time Saturday evening came most the snow had gone and the job was on. So taking the good with the bad I sorted out my pipes that had been leaking air and pulled on the uniform.

We all drove to Holsworthy to tune up in the main car park which still had a lot of snow in and then moved on to Pyworthy. Our task for the night was to play when the Christmas Lights had been turned on and then play in the village hall after the jazz band from Holsworthy School, sounded pretty easy.......

Playing when the lights were turned on - This involved playing while marching out of Mr & Mrs Greenaway's house and down the garden path just after the fireworks. The whole band crammed into their kitchen and waited for the fireworks, which were let off just out the kitchen window. So with kitchen windows shaking and the band not knowing whether to take cover we waited.... After the crowd outside sang 5 green bottles (don't ask me why) and shouted out a countdown from ten we came bursting out the front door and marched down the garden path and formed a circle on the road and played a few tunes before we led everyone off to the village hall.

Playing in the village hall - We marched straight into the hall to the amazement of the band all set up on the stage and to our amazement they didn't look much like a Jazz band, wearing Slipknot shirts, cut off jeans and a long hair, something told me they weren't jazz, and after they struck up I knew they weren't jazz. Their musical ability was great, but they did need to work on the singing though and there's still divided opinion on whether some of them were girls or not.

Our performance went pretty well even though we only had three of the drum corps there and even the pipe section had to supply the bass drummer out of that. In our performance we had three bass drummers starting with Jodie, then myself to play Highland Cathedral and ending with Dave. We played well but the pipes could have sounded sweeter, it didn't help the pipes playing out in the cold and then inside a warm hall.

The rest of the evening was taking up with eating and boy was there a lot of food to eat, a prize draw and a last minute quiz, which our team did win and earned a bottle of wine for our Birthday Girl Lorraine.

So I and all the band had a brilliant night, thank you Mr & Mrs Greenaway and the rest of Pyworthy for asking us to come along.

November 19th - Holsworthy Carnival

Holsworthy Carnival is either cold or wet and this year we had cold and very cold at that. So it was a matter of keeping playing and moving to stop yourself freezing to the spot. We have had it colder here when we had frost forming on the tops of the drums. Luckily the Carnival kept moving and we where soon in the church hall having a cuppa and hot pasties. Thank you Holsworthy Carnival Committee.

November 13th - Remembrance Day Parades, Bideford and Appledore

An early start and a cold one but the sun was shining on this crisp morning. We led the dignitaries which included the Mayor and our MP Geoffery Cox, from the Town Hall to the war memorial, playing wasn't good, I think due to cold fingers and lack of concentration. Whenever we play in Bideford there seems to be more worrying about who's watching than what we're playing and what part we're on. On the whole it went well and Darren laid the wreath with respect, well done Darren for stepping in. Then after leading the dignitaries back to the saluting dais and then onto church where we had a service it was off to Appledore.

We started at Appledore with a packed lunch in the church rooms, which Mike and I had prepared the night before, with coffee and tea brewed by Rob and Mandy. We were meant to be marching to the start of the parade on our own but seemed to gain the Vicar and the cross bearer marching in front of us and a few people carrying wreaths behind us. Our playing still wasn't together but sounded a lot better. We led the parade to the war memorial and while the wreaths were being laid we marched off in single file in silence to take up our position to play the parade into church. While the parade was in church it was back to the church rooms for a quick cuppa and a warm up. Then it was back out into the cold and to lead the parade along the Quay back to the British Legion. For the whole day we looked smart, but could have played a lot better although I think we did a professional job. Well done band.

November 5th - Dolton & Dowland Carnival

The weather forecast gave out weather warnings for heavy downpours, so we knew we where going to get wet. In the afternoon they started, so we knew we going to get wet. But no one told Dolton this and it stayed dry for the carnival! There was a little drizzle while we tuned up but it was dry for the parade. We led the Carnival behind a gentleman with his flaming torch which I was a little worried about, as it was giving off a lot of smoke and smoke doesn't agree with our asthmatic players, but in the end it was OK and I should have been worried about the funeral pace we marched around the route. We coped as always and played well.

October 23rd - Trafalgar Day Parade, Appledore

An early start, meeting in Bideford to tune up before driving to Appledore to lead the parade along the Quay to the war memorial. The day before we had planned where we were going to stand. We were tight for room due to road works, so we planned to play in the coned area before the traffic lights, little did we know that traffic cones don’t mean anything in Appledore on a Sunday and our space was full up. We ended up playing on the pavement just outside the church. So a quick job and home in time for lunch.

October 22nd - Trafalgar Parade, Penzance with the Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums

A last minute call from Cornwall asking for drummers and pipers for a sort notice job at Penzance, so we gathered together five us and headed south. The engagement consisted of two sort performances and two short parades nothing too hard and as always with the Cornwall band good fun.

October 15th - Okehampton Carnival

This is usually our first cold Carnival for the year, but it was quite warm and only one small problem with a player leaving their pipes behind, as they say "worse things happen at sea". This carnival has a long route and we tend to take a breather at the top half of the route before we head back for the town centre. At most carnivals we have kids marching beside us in the crowd as the band marches past, but here we had Quasimodo marching alongside the band in character and checking from time to time to make sure he was in step, bizarre but funny.

October 8th - South Zeal Carnival

First time we've done this one for a few years. A new route this year, I think this is the third route we've done but it was dry and not cold and probably our best ever visit to South Zeal. We just about led the Carnival so not too many stops and starts and it always seems funny to march up and down a pitch dark country lane.

September 30th - Crediton Carnival

Another very very wet Crediton Carnival, one year it will be dry I keep telling myself. We were short of pipers this year and I unfortunately had to drop a player when we got there, so we were down to nine. We did sound a little weak but we did play together, so that was a help. On the return journey down through the town we joined up with the City of Exeter Pipe Band and marched six abreast down the High Street, in front of the crowd that was brave enough to wait in the heavy pouring rain. It's always good fun to play with another band. Thanks Tom and the rest of the Exeter band

September 24th - South Molton Carnival

We've done this one for years now only missing it once since we first started. It was nice and dry, we have done it in the pouring rain and in hot sunshine, September weather I suppose. For this Carnival we struggle with getting the Saturday workers there, special thanks to Laura and Steve for making the effort to get there. The Carnival went well and flowed well, we played quite well and on the whole I was pleased with the band.

September 11th - Truro & Penzance VE/VJ Anniversary Parades with Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums

We can never resist a call from Cornwall for a few pipers to help them out. First stop was Truro and a march to the start of the parade, which mustered outside the Cathedral. From here we led a section of the parade to Boscawen Street. The whole street was lined with bands, veterans, cadets from all the forces as well has other contingents making a very impressive sight. After a short ceremony and led our section off. It was then onto a coach and onwards to Penzance.

We arrived in Penzance and all sat around having a packed lunch supplied by the Band. We then led a short parade to a short service and then led them on through the town.

We finished the day having a wonderful night with the band, having a meal at their local pub. It was a great ending to a brilliant day.

September 3rd - Bideford Carnival and Massed Bands

Wow what a day! We all met up in Bideford Football Ground for tuning before I got all the pipe bands together to go through the massed band tunes for later in the evening. This was scary for me as I had to sort all the bands out and try to let their Pipe Major's know what they were doing, they all knew what they're doing and have been doing it for years, unlike little old me. I think I did the job OK, things went a little strange playing with the town band but it wasn't too bad and I got them to the start of the Carnival on time. All the pipe bands did the start and finish of the carnival, as playing all around the carnival route and playing in the massed bands after would be too much, so sorry to all those who were at the top of the town.

While the carnival was on route we had an impromptu massed play on the corner of the High Street and Grenville Street, sounded great with all the high buildings there. The crowd along the Quay area were great and all seemed excited and eager for the Massed Pipe Band. The pipe bands marched down individually, each playing a short set in front of the VIP area before forming a massed band. In our short set we presented a ten year service certificate to Steve Finnamore. This year's Chieftain was Vic Lesslie from the City of Plymouth Pipe Band and it was a pleasure to play for him. The massed band was great with more than twice as many players as last year and the crowd seemed three times as big.

I cant wait to do it again!

Thanks to all the members of the - Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums, City of Bristol Pipe Band, City of Exeter Pipe Band, City of Plymouth Pipe Band, North Devon Pipes & Drums, Shirley Pipe Band, Bideford Town Band, Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band and of course my little lot the Bideford Youth Pipe Band for all taking part in this year's event.

August 29th - North Devon Mini Run (Westward Ho!) / Bude Lifeboat Day

The end of a very busy week, one Monday we were in Edinburgh, Scotland and the next Monday we're in Bude, Cornwall.

We again started the day by leading off over 300 decorated Mini's, we've done this every year for as long as I can remember and we always enjoy it. Then it was off to Bude where Rob was waiting for us with barbecue in full flow. This is an annual jolly for the band before we play for the Lifeboat Day. We drew a great crowd this year that really enjoyed our playing, well there always has to be a first!

We did struggle for players due to work commitments, so in stepped Laura on Bass Drum (who couldn't play her pipes due to an operation on her nose) to cover for Darren. The pipe section did sound weak, as most of our strongest players were away. So well done to the little ones you can do it if you try.

We ended the day back at the barbecue and a dodgy game of cricket, girls v boys. I'm sure the boys had an advantage even though there was twice as many girls. I don't think many cricket teams have to have a fielder in the canal to retrieve balls, well done Simon from the City of Bristol Pipe Band and our very own Vikki for volunteering.

Mr & Mrs Adrian Hart, Simon and Mike from the City of Bristol Pipe Band came down to support and cheer us on for the day.

August 28th - North Devon Mini Run (Bideford) / Bideford Water Festival

Another hot day for this double engagement. We started the day by leading off over 300 mini's on their first of a 2 day trip around North Devon. Then it was back to Victoria Park to entertain the few early birds at the Water Festival finishing as the dragon boat racing started.

August 27th - Bradworthy Carnival

Nice little relaxed village carnival. This is Dave's home village and he gets cheered all the way around. The crowds were down this year, I think due to the burning of the HMS Victory on Torrington Common. We did have a good time though and the tea after was as good as ever, well done Bradworthy Carnival Tea Ladies.

August 25th - Ilfracombe Carnival

This is the first time we've ever done this one, so we weren't sure what to expect. Still feeling jet lagged from playing at Pipefest we tuned up in a very, kilt around your ears, windy car park at the top of Ilfracombe and marched down through the streets to the harbour, The crowd and participants were very lively here and liked squirting each other with water. We managed to dodge the water fights and were all pleased to see the end of the long hard Carnival.

August 19th/22nd - Pipefest 2005

The big one we've all been working towards.

Wednesday 17th - We load the minibus with all our uniforms and instruments ready to travel up ahead of us.

Thursday 18th - The minibus leaves Bideford at 4am and reaches Edinburgh about 3pm

Friday 19th - We all meet up full of excitement and apprehension at 9.30am, we made sure that everyone had their passports and all luggage was labelled before we squeezed every one in and set off for Bournemouth, picking up Roy and Mac from the City of Exeter Pipe Band on the way. We arrived at the airport and checked in and entered the departure lounge to be told that the flight would be delayed by 2 hours. This now put our schedule behind and our chances of reaching the Edinburgh Tattoo in time for the start very slim.

The flight up was a little bumpy but good and landed at Prestwick airport about 7pm. Mike raced on out to sort out the two minibus awaiting us. It was then a race against time across Scotland to get to the Tattoo in time, everything seemed to be against us, with not knowing the route, Sunday afternoon drivers (who seemed to brake going uphill!), the worlds longest traffic lights and a huge downpour. So we didn't make it to the Tattoo in time, but we only missed the first act. The whole band thought the Tattoo was amazing and all want to go back.

After the Tattoo we invaded the nearest Kebab shop who had their hands full feeding all 34 of us. We arrived at our accommodation about 12.30am and it was straight to bed for everyone.

Saturday 20th - We had to be up bright and early as we were booked in to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at 9.30am. We walked around the yacht half asleep but it was interesting and the older ones of the group enjoyed it. We then headed into Edinburgh for something to eat and some souvenirs. The evening was taken up by a barbecue and meeting all the other people from other bands staying at the hostel.

Sunday 21st - The big day. We were all up bright and early and all full of anticipation of what was ahead of us. We had a tune up at the hostel and were asked to play a few tunes by the management, as they had never had such a young band staying there before. Then it was time to head for Holyrood Park where is was all taking place.

The atmosphere at the start area was amazing wherever you looked there was a pipe band tuning up, we picked the shade of a tree to keep cool on this scorching hot day. We exchanged a lot of contact cards and words of encouragement for the day. At 2.30pm we headed off for the band assembly zone where there was mass confusion as to where each block was, eventually we found block 58 and were greeted by the pipe major of the Massed Pipes and Drums of Holland. She, yes a fellow female P/M, was very enthusiastic and with the accent the kids found it a little scary. We played a few tunes together before heading for the start. It was a long hard hot march down to the finale area. We didn't have long between tunes to get our breath back, when we reached the end we were totally pooped and couldn't find water anywhere to refuel, someone did manage to beg a couple of bottles from another band which kept us alive for the finale.

The finale was great fun, we hadn't a clue what was going on, we did know what we were playing and what order but didn't know when to start playing them, so we just had to wait for the other end to start and the tune did a Mexican wave up through the ranks, great fun. Amazing Grace was the best, it carried on all over the place and ended to a great cheers and banging of drums. At the end of the finale we were to play Scotland the Brave and march forward 30 paces then about turn and march back 30 paces playing the Black Bear, drummers leading? They don't know when to start when they're following so how are they going to lead a massed band when you can't hear any commands. We did manage it though. After the finale officially ended there was mass breakout of Highland Cathedral everywhere so we joined in the nearest group. The whole day had a great buzz, it's a pity we didn't know what was going on but we had good fun anyway.

Sunday 22nd - Time to head off home, we all left the hostel at 9am. Two of the minibuses heading for Prestwick airport and one for Devon. The Airport minibuses had time to kill so we headed to Ayr to get food and last minute souvenirs, a big black pudding for George our treasurer who had to pull out of the trip at the last minute and a few haggis's for luck. The flight back was good with good views of the country, the landing was bumpy and a little fast though!

The minibus beat us back to Devon arriving back in Bideford at 7.30pm, the high flyers arrived home about 9pm

The whole weekend was a great success and we can’t wait for the next time.

August 14th - Burma Star Parade (Exeter)

A very hot day and I struggled with tuning the band, due to weak reeds and people not drying out their reeds from the day before (grrrrr). We played well though and were appreciated by the veterans marching behind us.

August 13th - Hartland Carnival

We didn't do this carnival last year because of all the coins thrown at us and the drunkeness of the crowd. After a band meeting and asking the kids if they wanted to do it, we decided to give it another go. Apart from a heavy shower it all started off well until we reached the corner where we get all the trouble, we marched past them to great cheers, when we got past them and stopped down came the coins and god know what else. It's a pity really as this carnival has a great atmosphere and we are well appreciated most of the way around, but the young band members find the drunkeness of the crowd, old and very young intimidating, putting us all on edge and waiting for the trouble.

First time on pipes for Charlotte Gubb. Terri Andrew and Emma Inch also marched with the band for the first time.

Curry Sauce Hunt - The chip shop had a queue going around the square what seemed like twice, so no curry sauce this week.

August 10th - Combe Martin Carnival

At this carnival you start one end of the village and march to the other end, sounds easy, but when the village claims to have the longest main street of any village in the Country of over two miles we decided to drop people off at one end and the drivers would take the cars to the other end and then return in one vehicle, which would follow us in the carnival and we could make a quick get away at the end. Sounded easy but having to fight our way past road marshal's just to get to the start of the carnival it was already not going well. We dropped off all the players and then got told we couldn't go anywhere, but we had to move the cars because they were in the way of the start of the carnival. After more talking to road marshal's the drivers did manage to move the cars. There was no where to park the cars at the end of the carnival so they had to park about 2 miles down the road at Berrynarbor. Then it was down to Jude (the famous DJ Jude) to get the drivers back to the start and she managed to sweet talk her way past all the road marshal's again to get everyone back in time for the start of the carnival. Now you think this is the end of it all, but no, at the end of the carnival it was vehicle chaos, nothing seemed to be moving out or into the village, it took us over an hour to retrieve our cars.

Anyway the Carnival went well, we sounded ok and played well.

Curry Sauce Hunt - In the hunt for chips and curry sauce we drove back to Ilfracombe and were very disappointed, it was more like soup, so Ilfracombe is on the bottom of the curry sauce chart.

August 6th - Tintagel Carnival

Just as we arrived and unpacked our instruments in came the sea mist, so from standing on the cliff top looking out over the great Atlantic, you couldn't even see the cliff edge. We quickly tuned up and by the start of the carnival the drizzle had eased off. We had a great reception from the crowd here as we did last year.

We decided we ought to try out the chippy and see if they did better curry sauce than Watchet. It was good, quite hot, but not as good as Watchet.

July 31st - Watchet Carnival

No trouble with parking this year, we tuned up on a windy cliff top - pipers were a little thin on the ground. We were followed around the Carnival by Watchet's drag Queen and various cheeky comments about blowing and what's under the kilt. Mike did manage to quieten them down when he gave them a solo of "This Old Man".

The best part of the whole day was the chips and curry sauce from the Harbour Fish Bar, so if you find yourself hungry in Watchet try the curry sauce from the Harbour Fish Bar.

Guest pipers - Len and Dianna Burden from the Avon Glen Pipes & Drums.

July 16th - Tavistock Carnival

We last did this Carnival 4 years ago and all I could really remember was that it was long. It was a scorcher of a day so I wasn't looking forward to the long march.

The Carnival started off very slow and we stopped a lot, but I tried to stop us in the shade if I could. The second half of the carnival flowed really well and the crowd all around the route we're great and cheered and clapped us all the way around.

This was the first engagement where we had the chance to show off our brand new semi-dress sporrans. Apart from being a little hard to fasten up they looked great.

July 10th - VE Day Parade, Camelford

A very hot day and I think most of us were a little crabby, so less said the better ;o)

On the whole it went well the Parade Marshall and Rear-Admiral Alec Weir who took the salute had nothing but praise for the band and the excellent pace we set thoughout the parade, a very professional job all round.

So a big well done to those who turned up and not so well done to the "8" members who were away!

July 3rd - Band Barbeque at DJ Judes

A bouncy castle was booked to go with the trampoline already at Judes place. The weather was much better this time in fact it couldn't have been better. The bouncy castle was a great success - well we all had a go and we didn't have too many injuries. I think our young 6 foot 6 piper Dave did the most damage, he managed to land on our PC Lorraine and damaged her neck and kept her off work for a few days, but he did land face first on a stray foot, nearly knocking himself out and finished off with a nose bleed. Everyone left happy and worn out, well I was anyway.

Thanks Jude for a great day!
Click here for pics

July 2nd - St Breward Carnival

First time the bands ever done this event, so we weren't too sure what would be expected from us or where we would have to march. We found out all about the Cornish mile here. Our convoy of cars reached a signpost that said St Breward was a mile and a half to the left and the right, so we took the main looking road and 2 miles later found another post saying St Breward a mile and a half to the left. So after what seemed like 5 miles we reached the village and asked the first marshal where should we head for and he just pointed us straight on, so on we went until we reached the next marshal to ask for further instructions, he told us to keep going until you reach the council houses (helpful when you've never been there before). We kept going and found the start of the carnival, having spent a while finding the place we were pushed for time to tune up and just about made it with 2 pipers and a drummer turning up just as the carnival was due to start.

The carnival seemed a nice gentle march through the village until we turned a corner and found a hill that seemed to get steeper and steeper and went on a long long way. We finished the carnival in a football field somewhere on the outskirts of the village. where we played a few tunes, had refreshments and were given a lift back to the cars (which was good as we weren't too sure where they were or how to get there). It was a good litttle carnival with a great village atmosphere.

First carnival for Tenor Drummer Chris Cole

June 26th - Bideford Music Day / Holsworthy Vintage Rally

Holsworthy Vintage Rally - We've played at this event for nearly as long as the bands be going, nothing really changes. We do struggle a bit playing in the middle of a huge arena. This year between performances Gemma managed to get most of her egg and bacon butty down her kilt!

Having over 2 hours to kill before we were next on I decided it might be a good idea to have my first experience of riding a motorbike, so after a brief lesson and I mean brief, I climbed aboard Dave's moped, after travelling a short distance I decided it wasn't as easy as it looked and with that I squeezed the back brake a little too hard and the back of the bike decided to slide away, so I ended up on my backside. This was my first and probably last go on a moped.

Bideford Music Day - We arrived to a packed park to be told they were running an hour behind, so we had a chillout under the shade of some trees and built up quite a crowd when we started to tune up. When we did get to perform an hour and a half later we had a great cheer, not sure if it was just all of the kids school friends, they were just pleased that the last act was finished or maybe they were pleased to see us. We played OK, started to get a few squeaks as this was our 3rd performance of the day, but it wasn't too bad and they did well despite the long wait to get on.

June 25th - Liskeard Carnival

The weather was a complete contrast to last year, when we had a huge downpour before the start and threatened to rain throughout the carnival, this year we had brilliant sunshine.

We were back to the longer route this year :o( , it's surprising how much the little extra takes out of you. We did have enough energy left to march down the main road at the end with the City of Plymouth Pipe Band, with 7 pipers abreast we must have looked a great sight. It was a great buzz for us and I can't wait until Pipefest now.

Just as we got back to the cars down came the Liskeard rain.

June 12 th - VE/VJ Parade, Penzance

A few of the older pipers went to Penzance to join in with the Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums. We started the day with a coach trip to Morrab Gardens where the Cornwall Band were presented with two pipe banners. We were then given Cornish Pasties and refreshments before it was time to do our first performance. We couldn't fit onto the bandstand so we opted to play around it. After a few tunes to a receptive crowd it was back to the coach and to the start of the parade on the sea front. On arrival it was decided we had time to nip off to the nearest bar for much needed liquid. The parade wasn't that long but on a very hot day it was still hard work, we ended the parade outside The Dolphin Inn :o)

After the engagement the band went back to a Barbeque. After a few drinks and something to eat we got our instruments out again and had some fun, ending with all the pipers playing on their knees. We had a great day with great company and great weather what more could you ask for. PIC 1 PIC 2

June 19th - Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration

Very much the same as previous years. We were concerned at being a little close to the samba band at the start, but we coped well and on the whole had a good rounded sound.

June 5th - Bideford Mayoral Parade

We tuned up in the rain but it did stop before we led the Mayor and other dignitaries to the saluting dais and played a few tunes before the Town Band reached us leading the main parade. After the Mayor took the salute, we marched them to church where we then found that the main parade was still waiting outside as the morning service hadn't finished. So we played a few tunes to entertain the troops.

We were all finished by 11am and the weather had started to brighten, so we decided to go ahead with a band barbeque. So armed with 3 gazebos, 2 barbecues and a huge umberella we attacked the Inches garden, as we got the charcoal lit up - down came the rain again, but it didn't stop us and we had a great afternoon.

A big thanks to Simon and Lorraine for putting up with us all!

May 29th - Bideford Railway Anniversary ** Kathleen & May - Bideford ** Bideford Transport Rally ** Potwalloping - Westward Ho!

Wow what a busy day in the hot sun!

Bideford Railway 150th Anniversary - We started the day off with a march along the Tarka Trail into Bideford Railway Station, where we played a few tunes before the Mayor made a speech and with other dignitaries she had a ride on the train up and down the short distance of track that has now been restored. On it's return we played Highland Cathdral, which was not the best we've played but the crowd seemed to like it. Then it was time for refreshments (tea, coffee and squash!), before the most exciting part of the morning, our turn to have a ride on the train.

Kathleen & May - Then it was time to play a few tunes in Brunswick Wharf where the Kathleen & May is moored. The Kathleen & May is a three masted schooner, just under 100 feet long and could carry about 250 tons of cargo. She was employed in the general coasting trade carrying such bulk cargoes as coal, china clay, cement, bricks, fertilisers and grain between many ports in the British Isles. Now restored back to is former glory from a rather sad looking hull.

Bideford Transport Rally - A quick walk over Bideford's historic bridge to march down a very busy quayside lined with classic cars to play a few tunes for the crowd. Pipes at this stage were starting to sharpen, so we stuck to quicker tunes and only chanced one slow one.

Potwalloping - Westward Ho! - Back to the cars for a quick tune up before we drove to Westward Ho! After a check of the drones it was time to enter the main arena and what a differance to last year, when we played in the pouring rain with mainly band relatives, one man and his dog watching, to playing in the blazing sunshine with a full crowd around us.

We all finished the day with very pink faces and I'm now sporting a very nice white strip across my nose where my nasal strip was!

May 28th - Exeter Centenary Parade

A few of the older members of our band join the City of Exeter Pipe Band in a parade to to celebrate the emergency services that provide cover for the city. The parade consisted of a fleet of vintage and modern fire appliances as well as firefighters from the New York City Fire Department - it's a good job we didn't take our tenor drummer Gemma, who's known to have a very soft spot for a man in a uniform. It was a great day and great weather and a much deserved beverage at the end.

May 21st - Lord Mayors Parade, Guest appearance with the City of Plymouth Pipe Band

We left Bideford with blue skys and arrived at the citadel in Plymouth in the pouring rain. We managed to get changed, which is not easy in the rain while trying to hold an umbrella. Well we managed to tune up 15 pipers in a porchway, which was great fun, with shouts of 'watch your drone on my head' and 'anymore room up your end?'. By the time we started the parade the skys had cleared and we finished in bright sunshine.

May 7th - Torrington Carnival

A Full Band out for this one, that's a first for a long time. We always struggle a little at Torrington Carnival, as it's our first long march of the year and we haven't built up enough stamina yet. I thought we looked and sound great with a full band compliment.

After a few nail biting moments - whether 3 of our pipers and a side drummer were going to turn up (which they did with 5 minutes to spare) and a little fuss on our march down to the start of the carnival - all went fine around the route.

Then after the carnival we played in the square. Re-tuning didn't go well, despite water traps in the pipes to help stop reeds getting wet, most of the young players drone reeds were dripping wet and just didn't want to work and some of the weak reeds were blown out and starting to squeak, and then when I thought it couldn't get worse the bottom section of Jay's bass drone snapped off, so after some frantic fixing with a nail, hemp and black insulating tape, we made it into the Square just a little late for a few tunes for a very appreciative crowd.

May 1st - The Great West Run

A few of us went to Exeter to help out the City of Pipe Band play at the side of the road and help spur on the runners in the great west run. We played beside a drinks station and it was good fun watching the runners trying to drink out of a wobbly plastic cup and still keep their pace.

April 24th - St. George's Parade - Dunster

This was the first time the band has gone out with four side drummers and it sounded great, after only having one or two sides for such a long time, four gave the band a whole new sound, and what amazed me the most was they controlled their volume, I didn't have to tell them to calm down once. Well done everyone on this one, I think everyone played and looked proud of themselves and there seemed a real unity.

April 22nd - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

The whole band gives a HUUUUUUUUGE thanks the North Devon Pipes & Drums for their very very kind donation of four side drums and two tenor drums. This helped us out of a very tricky spot of having four side drummers and only two working drums and an engagement in two days time. I think our lead tip's words were "Awesome!" and getting more than a four letter word from a side drummer has go to be good ;op

So once again Thanks!

April 2nd - R.M.B. Chivenor - Fergie's Return

This was our official welcome home and well done to Fergie for finishing his epic sponsored walk. We marched him to the Sergeant's Mess, where we played a few tunes for the Brigadier and other distinguished guests. Apart from a little over blowing causing a squeak or two on solos everything went really well.

We took advantage of this prestigious occasion to present 5 year long service awards to Rob Andrew and Vikki Andrew.

Well done band for putting in the extra effort on this one.

March 25th - Bideford v Barnstaple Football Match

We played at a Football match in Bideford and it was sunny, this has to be a first! We had a good band out for this local derby match. It was hard work counter marching up and down the centre line before the match, and it's always hard to concentrate when there are footballs flying over your head while the teams warm up. At half time we stayed in the centre circle for our short performance.

First time out for our new band policelady Lorraine Inch.