13th December - Band Christmas Party

It's amazing how quickly the party seems to come around each year. After a nervous start, when the pipes had settled down from us standing around in the cold outside, waiting to come in, it sounded great. We played the usual few tunes before giving out our annual awards.

This year's winners were:- Smartest Band Member, Shorna Gumbley - Most Promising Newcomer, Nicole Lamey - Award for Commitment and Attendance, Charlotte Gubb - Drummer of the Year, Chris Cole - Piper of the Year, Charlotte Gubb and Jo Inch - Best Band Member, 1st Chris Cole, 2nd Charlotte Gubb, 3rd Shorna Gumbley. We also presented a swagger stick to "Fergie" with the Royal Marines Crest on it. Well done to all our award winners, the whole band worked hard throughout the year and is was very hard to decide the winners this year.

With the formal part over and done with it was over to the youth members for their light entertainment which this year was "Pipe Band's got Talent". A little like Britain's Got Talent, but without Simon Cowell, even though Darren did a very good impression of him. The talent included, street dance, gymnastics, Jo, Char and Emma playing Queen's 'We Will Rock You' on pipes, look out Red Hot Chilli Pipers! The show was won though by the famous, well soon to be famous, stand up duo Will Webber and Richard Cole (both in the Inch family), known for the night as "Willyinch". Their act was a cross between Joe Pasquale and Jethro, They went down a storm and a few of the jokes only just scraped the before 9pm watershed. Well done guys and everyone else for putting on a great show! It must be the adults turn next year!?!?

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29th November - Pyworthy Christmas Lights

Unfortunately due to a mix up in dates (not our fault) the Pyworthy Lights this clashed with our very own towns lights switch on, so as we already had Pyworthy booked we had to miss out on our own Christmas lights celebrations.

We did have a great time at Pyworthy though, marching out of the house, yes just one house, we travel all the way to help switch on the lights of one house and help raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance. After the lights are switched on we then join in the fun in the village hall, this includes bingo, a prize draw, a quiz and errrrr oh yes us playing a few tunes. The Band did really well, we won in the bingo, won the quiz for the third year, won lots of things in the draw and our playing went down really well, so all in all it was a winner for the band.

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15th November - Holsworthy Carnival

Another wet one with really heavy drizzle this time, by the end of the night I had green dye from my jacket all over my shirt and was glad to get back to the church hall for a cuppa and a nice hot pasty, ahh this is what winter carnivals are all about.

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14th November - THEME NIGHT, Children in Need

Dress up as anything you like and make a donation to Children in Need, easy! PICTURES

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14th November - A new chapter in the band history

It was decided that we need a few new recruits and a recruitment drive was needed. Our plans were to go to the local primary schools and take an assembly. Jude volunteered for this, well I think she volunteered or was persuaded to do it, it's the same thing I think. Well........... She did such a brilliant job and within 2 weeks of her visiting a few schools we had doubled the size of the band. So we now have lots of very excited 10 and 11 year olds running around and they never seem to run out of energy....

The whole band now has to pull together to teach the new one's, no more "I think we'll have an easy practice tonight". We have lots of teaching and encouraging to do, we were all learners once and now we know a little more, we need to pass on our skills. It is very rewarding to see someone learn an instrument from scratch and to think that you were the one to get them there is even more rewarding.

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9th - 13th November - Belgium

A busy day for Mike and I, Bideford Remembrance Day in the morning and meeting up with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Ceremonial Unit in the evening to travel to Belgium to play at the Menin Gate, Ypres on Armistice Day at 11am.

We played three times at the Menin Gate and all three were unforgettable experiences. The trip has left both Mike and I with some brilliant memories and new friendships.

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9th November - Remembrance Day Parade, Bideford

Oh boy was this a wet one or what. We did start to tune up in the sunshine but soon had to head for shelter as the heavens opened. As we tuned more and more people for the parade joined our doorway to keep dry. Running out of room in the doorway we headed off to the Town Hall to collect the town dignitaries to march them to the war memorial in Victoria Park. Halfway along the Quay marching towards the park we were given a message that we couldn't enter the park by our usual entrance as it was flooded so we had to divert to the main gates. The service in the park was quite grim in the rain but we did manage to find a little shelter under some trees, but even the trees didn't save our hymn sheets that ended up a soggy pile of papier machie at the end. It was very nice to get into the nice warm church at the end.

Well done band for turning out on such a horrible day.

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1st November - Dolton & Dowland Carnival

It was good to be back at Dolton for their carnival, even though it is usually wet or cold and this year it was cold. We never seem to have any dramas here, which is nice, I thought the crowds seemed a little down this year as we marched around the village a couple of times and then back to the cars.

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18th October - Okehampton Carnival

This is our first dark Carnival of the year and usually cold and wet too, but the rain did hold off and it wasn't that cold. Okehampton isn't my favourite Carnival of the year, I think this is mainly due to the length of it and we always seem to get left behind in the darkest grimmest part of the route. But the Carnival did flow well this year and we only really stopped once for any length of time and I guess this was to bunch the procession up before we headed back into town, while we were waiting we were entertained by the bubble machine attached to the mini we were following, well Jodie and I were entertained by the bubbles and I think we entertained the rest of the band. There was no Rugby World Cup Final on this year so the crowds along the street were back to their normal amount if not more.

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4th October - Appledore Book Festival

A typical miserable wet autumn afternoon and we had to lead a troop of soldiers from the top of the village to the car park on the quay, where we were given a short display by the soldiers including shooting their muskets. They started the display with a huge loud bang and I mean huge bang, I think it must have shaken the whole of Appledore.

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27th September - South Molton Carnival

Quite often as I march around in a carnival I think about what I can write in my blog, and nothing really happened here, we came, we played well, the sun shone and the chips as always were great from Taff's in Torrington. Only bit of excitement was that Jude had to remove a large splinter from my back I managed to get while sitting on a picnic table.

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26th September - THEME NIGHT, Shorts Night

Not only was it shorts night we seemed to be short of band members for this theme night, but well done to those who did turn up. Take a look at our knobbly knees. PICTURES

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21st September - Battle of Britain Parade, joining the Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums

We either love doing it or we're mad, our first weekend off for ages and after a jam packed weekend the week before, a few of the older one's in the band volunteered to help out the Cornwall Pipe Band. We went down the night before and Dave and Sheila squeezed all 7 of us in their home. We had a really fun weekend and it wasn't that hard.

Thank you to Dave and Sheila for putting up with us lot and making us feel so welcome.

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12th - 14th September - Bideford Festival of Piping & Drumming / Bideford Carnival

This is the weekend that we all look forward to the whole year. A weekend that the band teams up with Bideford Carnival and Regatta Committees for a lot of planning and hunting for sponsorship. This was one of those years that nothing went smoothly leading up to the weekend, so it was fingers crossed that the actual weekend would work.

Friday Night - The weekend kicks off with a concert by Jiggerypipery, but before that started we had a short band practice just to run through the massed band tunes and make sure everyone's pipes where working ok. We then made our way down to the concert and a brilliant night first listening to "Fiddlebix" and then "Jiggerpipery".

Saturday - The day started with workshops for Piping and Drumming, I joined in on the tenor drumming workshop while, Dave and Will did the piping one and Chris and Drew joined in on the side drumming. Mike went between all three making sure everything was going ok. I think we all learnt something, I know that I did. The workshops went on until 1pm even though they were meant to finish at 12.30, so Mike and I then had to quickly grab something to eat and then load the car and go down to the quay to start putting up the marquee for the VIP area, before I had to head off to tune our band and sort out the massed band.

I tuned up our band with no hiccups and then tried to rally round the other bands to try and work out how many pipers and drummers we had in each band so I could try to work out were everyone would stand. We did ask for numbers beforehand but these did change a lot on the day. I did eventually sort everyone out. The rehearsal didn't go exactly smoothly, but it's not easy to get 100 bandsman to listen to what's going on and what to do, but we got to run through the main parts and most people had a idea of what to do. I must say I was proud of our band as they did everything they were asked with no fuss and didn't seem intimidated by all the others around them. We then moved off to the start of the carnival.

The Carnival along ok except for a long hold up in the middle which was due to an ambulance trying to get through and as usual we had the sun in our eyes marching up Bridgeland Street. The middle half of the carnival always seems hard work, marching around the top of the town trying to reserve your energy for the massed band afterwards, but people always want you to play so we have to throw in a few tunes but try to treat it as the time we can relax. When we get back onto the quay the atmosphere builds and it really makes you feel proud to be the home band.

The Massed Band, the bit we've been waiting for, each band first of all marching down the quay on their own, most year's we've thought about what to play, we had tried a few set of tunes in the previous few weeks, but nothing seemed to work and we didn't decide what to play until we fell in and were ready to go, and we went for "Oh When the Saints" slowly getting quicker as we marched down the quay, it really worked and the crowd loved it. We then formed up for the Massed Band and I have to admit I really wasn't looking forward to it, there had been lots of questions on how we were going to play this and that and was everyone going to remember when and where to march into the finale positions, but I needn't have worried as everything went really well, the best so far, maybe one or two very minor tune things but the buzz from the whole experience was amazing, the crowd clapping and cheering all the way, brilliant. Can't wait until next year now!

We finished the night at the Tantons Hotel with live band "The Dambuskers", a great finish to an excellent night.

Sunday - At 2am Mike and I were still on a high from the massed band but decided we had to get some sleep as we had to be in the Pill Car Park at 7.30am to clear up any carnival rubbish that had made it's way in to any business forecourts and pick up any stray signs. It was a beautiful morning and after we had done our duties we took a little time out to sit in the sun and watch the tide go out before we had to meet up with the band at 10am to play on the Quayside at 11am.

The band was joined throughout the morning by members of other bands and we had a really nice relaxing play, trying to think of tunes that most of us knew. I think at one point we had 22 pipers, a couple of bass drummers, 6 tenors and a couple of sides, but I did spy a lot more players watching and hopefully they'll join in next year.

The whole weekend seemed to be a great success and the feedback we've had has been amazing, so thanks to everyone who helped out and especially to all the bands that came along, it really wouldn't be the same without each and every one of you!

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10th September - Bideford Quay, Part of Regatta Week

I don't know why, but every time we've played of the quay on a Wednesday evening it's been horrible wet misty drizzly rain, and this one was no exception. We did have a few that turned out to watch us and collect a few pennies for the band. By the time we finished it was dark so we headed back to the school for a cuppa to warm up.

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6th September - Porlock Carnival

The weather was pretty grim all day and didn't look like it was going to clear and it didn't until the very start of the carnival we even had to shelter in the Fire Station until the start. But the drizzle stopped for the parade and we seemed to be around the route in no time and back to the cars, deciding where to have chips, we plumped to stay in Porlock and try out the very small chippy, well most of the band did, a few of us went for a barbecue and a shop just along the road. Eventually everyone got fed and we were home quite early.

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25th August - North Devon Mini Run, Westward Ho! / Bude Lifeboat Day

Early Sunday morning and it's down to Westward Ho! for the second of the Mini tours. At the Westward Ho! Mini run they are mostly in fancy dress, drivers, passengers and mini's so it's a pretty unforgettable sight. 300 Mini's of all different sizes and styles, all dressed up and whizzing past on their way around the roads of North Devon. We've done this event for a few years now and the cars get better every year as do the crowds that turn up to watch them on their way.

It's then off down to Bude for the Lifeboat Day and our annual band barbecue, we got to Bude and it was up to us when we played so we thought it would be a good idea to get one performance in quick, have our barbecue and then perform later in the afternoon. Our first performance was ok but things really didn't feel right, with drones stopping because they were wet and in general it just didn't seem together, but the crowd enjoyed it and I suppose that's what matters. It was then back to the barbecue, which was all ready for us with burgers and hot dogs waiting.

We usually have had a game of cricket at the barbecue but we lose far too many balls in the canal so this year we played badminton, which turned into volley ball later.

Our second performance was so much different than the first, we played a few tunes on the castle green before we moved down to the Bude Light and the difference was amazing the whole sound of the band was brilliant and the crowd was all around us, sort of tiered, looking down on us, keeping the sound in, the band finished with a real buzz, the best we have sounded all year.

Thank you to - Simon, Frank and Mandy for cooking for us all and everyone else who helped out with feeding and watering the band.

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24th August - North Devon Mini Run, Bideford / Raising of the 2012 Olympic Flag

An early start as we had to play for the raising of the 2012 Olympic flag before sending off the Mini's. We marched around Victoria Park before heading towards the flag pole. I'm not a hundred percent sure anyone knew quite what was happening so we went with the flow and played until we got told to shut up. There was a display by the Majorettes before the flag was raised and a short speech by the Mayor of Bideford, which I don't think anyone could hear. We played a few more tune before we then marched to the start of the mini run.

11am - time for the mini's to start up and as usual the ribbon was to be cut by the Mayor and we would be on our way, except there was no mayor and no ribbon! Plan B was put into action, well plan b was made up there on the spot and the newest member of the Bideford Youth Pipe Band was to cut the ribbon (insulation tape from the pipe majors sporran). So Shorna stepped up and cut the ribbon sending nearly 300 mini's and the band on their way.

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23rd August - Bradworthy Carnival

We were asked to be ready to play at 6pm so we were there nice and early to tune up and got to the square just before six and hung around, then it started to rain and we hung around for a bit longer and eventually got playing at about 6.45, so next year it might be a good idea to get there about 6.30 I think!

The carnival went well and we were right at the back with Stig from Top Gear, no last appeal or anything behind us, we were the last appeal. Bradworthy Carnivals route take in a back lane and I really do mean a back lane more of a dirt track really, it's always fun to see the look on members faces when they do this one for the first time. This year we had to help out the Stig in his not very super charged home made go-kart up the slope on the lane as he was nearly going backwards. At the top we had the thumbs up from the Stig and we felt proud to have helped the Stig out.

We didn't play much in the square after as the rain started again and most of the people had gone home.

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21st August - Ilfracombe Carnival

It started out as one of those engagements that nothing was going to go right.... We arrived and discovered that one of side drums top skin had split from one side to the other, then we had a set of pipes that seemed to be going down for no reason and then my valve stopped working in my blow pipe, so it was wasn't a great start to Ilfracombe Carnival. I'm glad to say the rest of the parade went really well, everything kept flowing and the crowd behaved itself, which it doesn't always at Ilfracombe, it was only at the very end that we had to fall out and walk in single file pass a bubble machine that was pouring out bubbles across the street, we didn't really fancy having bubble stains all over our uniforms.

Oh I nearly forgot, Mike and I's sporrans fell off along the way.

So all in all it was a eventful carnival but as always the band is gratefully received and cheered all the way around.

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16th August - Bude Carnival

Another awful day of weather, that seemed to brighten by the time the Carnival started. If I have to be honest I didn't really enjoy this one, the weather was horrible and it was such a slow march around, taking us over two hours to get around the route. There seemed to be a float up ahead of us that kept stopping and didn't move off for ages even though the road ahead of it was totally clear. Great for them but totally boring for those waiting behind, both participants and for the crowd watching. What made it worse was that if they hadn't held us all up we wouldn't have got soaking wet at the end, grrrrr!

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13th August - Combe Martin Carnival

For Summer engagements we used to worry about how hot it was going to be and did we have enough drinks to keep hydrated, but now it seems to be; are we going to get wet and how wet we're going to get.

It rained heavily all day and was still raining when we met up, thankfully it did stop by the time we arrived at Combe Martin and the parade was dry, just a few heavy drops right at the end which stopped in no time. This carnival is usually a slow one and takes a long time to get to the end but this year we seemed to fly down in no time, although we did still had a long wait at the end before we could join up with the North Devon Pipes & Drums and march back up through the crowds, who always seem be heavily fuelled with alcohol at Combe Martin.

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3rd August - Party in the Park, Bideford and Bude Canal Day

It was a quick performance in the park before heading off to Bude. We drew a good crowd in the park and played in the sunshine, we had no end of compliments on the band when we finished especially the drum corps.

We weren't due to play at Bude until 4pm so decided to have a barbecue in between, Mike had arranged for us to use Bude Rugby Club and we arrived with the sky looking a wee bit dodgy. We managed to get our gazebo up before the heavens opened, but we battled on with all the kids and some adults staying in cars while Gubby cooked up the food, Darren, Steve and Dave took orders and delivered the food, while Mandy and I cooked the onions and made a brew. All this happening under the gazebo, and it really was good fun and we soon forgot the rain, Mike even tried a game of football but didn't have any takers. By the time we were due to play the rain had eased off and we performed to the brave few that were left at the Canal Day, who I think were mostly holiday makers, determined to enjoy themselves whatever the weather.

Thanks to all the usual people that helped out at the barbecue.

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2nd August - Tintagel Carnival

I don't know why but there's always a few engagements in a year that we struggle to get a good sized band together and Tintagel Carnival is one of them. Things weren't looking good so we called on services of the North Devon Pipes & Drums to help out.

But when we arrived at Tintagel we met up with they Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums and discovered that they were even shorter than we were so our help from North Devon was transferred to them, we just kept a tenor drummer. The carnival went really well and we joined up with the Cornwall band for the march back up through the town. The weather sort of managed to stay dry.

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30th July - Culdrose Air Day

We were joining the Cornwall Caledonian Pipes & Drums and performing in the arena at 4pm - the same time as all the fast jets were due to fly! But due to the bad weather and really low cloud just about all the flying was cancelled, there were a few helicopters flying and we saw 3 jets take off and disappear into cloud about two seconds after they took off, they then did a couple of bombing runs and that was it for the fast and furious display. We all met up at 3pm for a tune up and a quick chat about what we were going to do.

We then walked through a small marching display, which I had a key part in, the rest of the pipers just had to follow, so after one walk through I had to remember it all. I think I managed it ok. Playing with another band is hard enough, being on your toes for the different ways tunes are played and going into different tunes than your used too, but throw in a marching display and a blondes brain has to work overtime!

We had a great day though and it really wasn't that hard, after our performance our kids were still wanting to play some more so we marched back towards the cars. It's really great when the band are loving playing and don't want to stop, makes all the hard work seem worthwhile.

A big thank you to the Cornwall band for asking us to join them and making us feel so welcome.

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27th July - Watchet Carnival

It was good to be back at Watchet and the hot weather was back again. It was only when we were waiting around at the start and we were approached by a town crier I remembered that the last time we did this carnival we followed him, but it wasn't until we started that I remembered the monty python ministry of silly walks that he did and while we played. It was great fun to watch him and made the long hot route seem a lot shorter. Thanks to Kevin Ward the town crier of Bromsgrove!

The band sounded great the whole weekend, a little out when we played at the end of the carnival, but well done to you all, you all worked really hard but it was great and the side drummers have improved massively since our trip to Ashbourne, well done lads, keep it up.

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26th July - Landkey Summer Show & Fete

A nice little engagment we play a couple of time, once to open it and then again sometime during the afternoon, this year we were on after the belly dancers, what an acted to follow hey! We've done it before so we weren't put off by the idea and went on and did the job.

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20th July - Ashbourne Highland Gathering

After our 3am arrival at Ashbourne, we caught a few hours sleep and were all up and ready to go at 9.30am. Just as we set foot outside there was a dampness in the air, I was just hoping that it was going to be a repeat of last year and we weren't going to be walking around in an inch of mud all day, but the sun did break through and it was a nice day expept for the strong wind.

I think everyone had a great day, I know a certainly did and learnt a lot too. I hope the band enjoyed it as well and big thanks to Gubby and Jude for going on ahead of the band and getting everything ready, Mike and Simon for driving the minibuses, as well as all the rest of the adults for doing their bit.

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19th July - Delabole Carnival

This was the start of the bands long trip to Ashbourne, stopping off at Delabole to play in the carnival on the way, yes I know Delabole's in Cornwall and not on the way to Derbyshire, but they booked the band about 2 years ago so we had to do it. We've usually played a few tunes after the carnival but as we wanted to shoot off ASAP after we finished we played a few tunes before to the eager people waiting for the carnival. We then marched to the start of the carnival and to our surprise found our friends from the North Devon Pipes & Drums tuning up.

The first part of the carnival was very very slow, we were lucky to play one tune before stopping, when we reached the playing fields we found out why, there was a commentator there stopping each entry telling the crowd the ins and outs of every entry. Great for the people but really frustrating for the people waiting behind and the crowds watching before the carnival got to the commentator, but it all went really quickly after that and we joined the North Devon Pipes & Drums on the return march to the playing fields.

We finished the carnival and it was all action stations with instruments being put away, people getting changed, minibuses to be packed and last minute trips to the loo, it was then off for our 5 hour drive to Ashbourne. We did stop off at Okehampton for fish and chips, all I can say about the that is great chips, but not such great fish for me, as it's taken me a week to get better from it.

Well we made to Ashbourne at 3am and after a cuppa and hot chocolates we headed off to our dorms.

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5th July - Kilkhampton Fete / St Breward Carnival

With amber weather warnings of very heavy rain given for the whole of the South West we knew we were going to get wet this weekend it was just a matter of how wet!

Kilkhampton Fete - Halfway through tuning up Mike disappeared saying he had a job to do at the start and would meet us down there. When we arrived down at the start we found out that Mike had to play for the horse that would be pulling the carriage for the fete queen as it had never heard pipes before, good start. Well I thought it might be a good idea if the whole band played for it as horses seem to get just as frightened by the bass and sides coming in. The horse didn't seem too happy about the whole thing and the carriage ended up having to be pulled along by 4 man power instead of one horse power. The rain did stay off until halfway through the parade to the fete field and was really horrible by the time we fell out. They fuelled us with tea, coffee and biscuits until the next break in the heavy rain so we could perform. Surprisingly the band was sounding great, well until the rain started filling the drones, we could do with little umbrella to put on top of each drone, but chanters were good though.

St Breward Carnival - We get fed and watered before we perform here, so it's a chance to chill out and chat before we march off. Most of our drones had given up by now so tuning didn't take long and the rain had dulled down to a heavy drizzle. So we marched through the village performing to the brave folks who had turned out and they did seem to appreciate the daft people marching along in the rain.

Well done everyone for turning out in such horrible weather.

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June - THEME NIGHT, Chav Night

Yea but, no but, yea but we did dress up and I was looking well fit, right.............................Pictures

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29th June - Holsworthy Steam Rally

We didn't do this one last year and I must say it was good to be back. This year the show was in a new field near the golf club. We were due to play twice so we thought it would be a great idea to have a barbecue in between slots. So the band went off to play and Simon and Gubby stayed back at the cars and got everything ready, gazebo, barbecues and the all important kettle for a brew.

The band played well in the middle of a windy field and it was great to have Charles Cornish back commentating and singing along with the band. Holsworthy just wouldn't be the same without Charles.

After our second performance we sparked up again for a few more burgers and hot dogs before heading home. A big thanks to Simon, Gubby and Frank for taking care of catering for the mob.

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28th June - Veterans Day Parade, Hartland / Liskeard Carnival

Veterans Parade - The idea was for us to play at the back of the parade and help keep a beat at the rear. The trouble was the clash of beats between the brass band playing at the front and us at the back, the parade wasn't really long enough for two bands and the units marching just in front of us were really struggling to keep step, so we gave up playing and just marched trying to keep time with the band at the front. Our stand in bass drummer did struggle a little to keep up with the beat as it's a lot faster than we are used too, but we did have fun marching along even when we realised we had to do an eyes right at the last minute even though we've never done one before - we just about managed it. Usually we're playing and don't have to do one as blowing pipes and turning your head to the right just doesn't work. After the parade we played a few tunes in the field for the veterans and other units marching in the parade, so we did get to play something.

Liskeard Carnival - How much different can the weather be from last year, from really really horrible rain to bright sunshine. Liskeard is a long route and in the hot sunshine seems longer. For the first time ever we played ahead of the City of Plymouth Pipe Band in the parade so we had to wait for them this time to march back down the main street. I always love doing this as we were 6 ranks wide and it's only just wide enough so we have to march close, when we get to the entrance of the cattle market where the carnival ends it's only really wide enough for 4 ranks and with the high sides of the building there the sounds great, but I feel I little sorry for the middle ranks who also had to contend with a nice pile from a horse.

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22nd June - The Big Sew

This is a job we've been putting off for a while now, replacing the backs of our waistcoats. We couldn't put it off any longer so we bit the bullet and set the date, with a team of sewers, unpickers and cutters we sat down and began. We soon got the hang of it all but didn't quite manage to finish them all on Sunday so had a second session on Monday evening.

So thanks to........ sewer - Lorraine, cutter - Mandy, unpickers/ironers - Jude & Jodie and unpickers - Charlotte and Jo. You don't have to mend another wasitcoat for a long while now, I hope!

l'm sure they're not wise	lt's the famous "Weather Girls"
Mandy's always at the sharp end, probably best not to be in this case.	The real workers I'm not sure Primark would employ them?

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21st June - George and Ruby's Diamond Wedding Anniversary

This was a surprise for George, we were, not the party! I'm sure we did surprise him and a few others too. We played a few tunes and enjoyed the evening and the food was great, I'll never forget that chocolate pudding with strawberries, makes my mouth water now thinking about it.

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15th June - Ilfracombe Victorian Celebrations, Closing Parade

So much different than last week, not so many bands and it all went along at a nice pace, no pony trouble or clash of band beats. Hockings Ice Cream was so good last week we had another one this week!

Oh.... Happy Birthday to Graham from the North Devon Pipes & Drums, we hoped you liked the tune we played just for you!

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7th June - Ilfracombe Victorian Celebrations, Opening Parade

Nice and easy little parade down through the High Street, and usually hassle free......... There always seems to be lots of bands for the size of the parade and the chap sorting out who goes where must find it hard, especially as most of the people taking part are walking, and they tend to go where they like and splitting them up is a struggle. We were given our spot in the parade, following a pony and trap well the pony had different ideas when the band started up and nearly wiped out the right rank rearing around. A little scary, I'm not sure of horses at the best of times. Anyway it then followed us and the driver was sure it was settled and wouldn't bother us again, I think it was the samba band following the pony that put it into some sort of hypnotic trance, we had to play most of the way around so we couldn't hear the samba band. After the parade we walked down to the sea front to play a few tunes and had a well earned Hockings Ice Cream.

We then all headed back to Pyewell for a band barbecue, Gubby sorted this one out for us, all we had to do to use the facilities was to play the campers there a few tunes. They didn't really look like they wanted to be disturbed from their sunbathing on a very quiet idyllic campsite with a fisherman sitting nice and still by the lake, but we did anyway and the fisherman even caught a whopper of a fish, so that couldn't have been bad.

Thanks to everyone to helped out with the barbecue, Gubby for sorting out the venue and the very nice owners of Pyewell.

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28th May - THEME NIGHT, Stripy Night

Nice and easy, just wear something with stripes on. Mike as usual did take it one step further and came as something stripy, take a look at the pictures to find out what........ Click here for pictures

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26th May - Potwalloping, Westward Ho!

All I can really say is: very very windy, well this was the weather warning, yes warning - Unseasonably strong north easterly winds will increase to gale force in parts of South West England adjacent to the Bristol Channel this morning and afternoon, with gusts up to 60 mph.

As usual for this one we tuned up in Bideford and then drove to Westward Ho! While we got ready, instruments out, hats and capes given out etc, Simon went to investigate what was needed from us. He returned to tell us we were on at 2pm and that there weren't many people about. So at 2pm we formed a circle and played some tunes drawing the few people that were wandering around. The hardest part of playing was standing up, you never knew when the next gust was coming and the band a few times did a sort of Mexican wave as the wind blew us one way and then we stepped back into place.

Well done everyone, it was sort of fun trying to stand up and not knowing whether to grab your hat or kilt in the wind. Well done to Darren for controlling the bass drum.

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24th May - Band Fund Raising Dance, Little Torrington

It was the first time the band had held a dance at Little Torrington and it went really well. It was a really nice village hall in a lovely little village, we raised well over £200 and all had a great time. I'm not really sure what all these old folk think of our 11 year olds trying to join in their sequence dance but they seemed to laugh at them. Oh there was one problem for the kids, hardly any mobile phone reception, terrible hey!

Big thanks to Simon and his gang once again for organising it all.

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THE WEATHER GIRLS

I've done it and here it is BYPB's very own weather girls