Sunday, 22 July 2012

War and Peace 2012 review



The Massed Pipes and Drums performing during the Fulda Tattoo Parade


Huge thanks are in order for the members of The City of Rochester Pipe Band who played extremely well today in the hot weather. However, the band did play most of the allocated set list, for which we are grateful.

The band were involved in a church service this morning playing the lament "Flowers of the Forest" followed by the hymn "Mine Eyes have Seen the Glory". This was then followed at 1:00pm by the traditional circuit of the stalls stepping off with the rousing "Marie's Wedding", followed by "The Nut Brown Maiden", "The Barren Rocks of Aden" and "Highland Laddie".

The highlight of the day was playing for the veterans in the bar. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves as we struck up "Scotland the Brave" and "The Rowan Tree", marching in to a chorus of cheers. We then played a couple of static sets before finishing for a well earned break.

At 2:00pm, we again played in the bar for the veterans. Everybody joined in with the 6/8 set comprising "Cock o the North" and "Bonnie Dundee", two very famous Scottish marches. At just before 3:00 the band left the bar playing "The Green Hills of Tyrol", followed by "The Battle's o'er" and "Lochanside". This set took the band to the participants car park, where events slowly drew  to a close.

We are grateful to everybody who allowed the band to take part and look forward to playing again next year.

Many thanks,
Christopher Nelson
Chief Executive
Pipes and Drums on Tour




Thursday, 19 July 2012

Falklands Anniversary and War and Peace show: 20th and 22nd July 2012



The City of Rochester Pipe Band preparing to march round the stalls during the War and Peace Show, Paddock Wood, Kent

Come and listen to the City of Rochester Pipe Band on two consecutive days this coming weekend. On Friday 20th July, (tomorrow) the Band will be leading the Falklands Anniversary Parade to a Drumhead service taking place on the centre of the site just behind the three oast houses. The Band will be playing the traditional lament "Flowers of the Forest" for this event. For details of other tunes being played, please ask the Director of Music for further details.

Alternatively, you can also watch the band again on Sunday 22nd July when they will be playing for the last day of the War and Peace Show. The band has already been allocated a set list for the march around the stalls, but on this occasion we are happy for veterans and public audiences alike to request tunes for the standing routines. To do this, please talk to the Director of Music or another member of the Pipes and Drums on Tour team.

Both events will be taking place at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent.

Members absent on Friday:
Elise Walsh
Ivan Brooks
Brian Brooks
Christopher Nelson

Members present on Friday:
Peter Tennant
Keith Jacobs
Tony Daniel

Members absent on Sunday:
Elise Walsh (?)
Ivan Brooks
Brian Brooks

Members present on Sunday:
Elise Walsh (?)
Christopher Nelson
Peter Tennant
Keith Jacobs
Tony Daniel

We look forward to taking an active role in this event.

Many thanks
Christopher Nelson
Chief Executive
Pipes and Drums on Tour


 





Saturday, 7 July 2012

Current schedule for 2012/13


Current Bookings 2012/13


2012:

19th July: Solo Piper, Olympic Torch Relay, Birchington on-Sea, Kent

20th July: City of Rochester Pipe Band, Falklands Anniversary Parade, Beltring, Kent

22nd July: City of Rochester Pipe Band, War and Peace Show, Beltring, Kent

10th November: Massed Pipes and Drums, London War Widows Parade, Whitehall, London

11th November: City of Rochester Pipe Band, Remembrance Parade, Rochester, Kent

1st December: City of Rochester Pipe Band, Christmas Dickens Festival, Rochester, Kent



Presently, there are no bookings for September and October and the Transplant Games event in August  has been cancelled.



2013:

June: City of Rochester Pipe Band, Bower Grove School Summer Fete, Maidstone, Kent

June/July: Massed Pipes and Drums, Grange Park Pipe Band Festival, Snodland, Kent



Jobs done:

6th July: Solo Piper, Funeral, Barham Crematorium, Canterbury, Kent

Our list will be updated regularly as bookings are received and jobs are completed. It is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Many thanks
Christopher Nelson
Chief Executive
Pipes and Drums on Tour


Introduction to Pipes and Drums on Tour

The City of Rochester Pipe Band playing for the Royal British Legion, Chartam in 2007


Welcome to Pipes and Drums on Tour. This is a voulentary run organisation that was set up recently on Saturday 23rd June after a successful Tattoo was staged to mark the 50th Anniversary of Bower Grove Special School in Maidstone, Kent.

The aim of this organisation is to bring the sight and sound of Pipes and Drums to different parts of Southern England. We have contacts with a range of organisations including 3 Pipe Bands, a local group of Highland Dancers and a local group of Scottish Country Dancers. At present we can provide the following ensambles for your event:

Massed Pipes and Drums
Single Pipe Band
Pipe Band, Highland Dancers
Pipe Band, Highland Dancers, Scottish Country Dancers
Massed Pipes and Drums, Highland Dancers, Scottish Country Dancers
Solo Piper
Solo Piper plus single Highland Dancer

At present it is not possible to provide Ministry of Defence bands due to the various olympic and ceremonial events happening in London. However, this is something that we are looking into for the future.

This page will be updated regularly, with myself, Elise Walsh, Ivan Brooks and other band members providing various peices of information.

We can be contacted by using the following address;

Further contact details will appear here in due course. Please state the type of ensamble you require when booking so that we can accomodate for you.

We hope you enjoy your visit to this site and that you will consider using us for your special occasion.

With best wishes to all,
Christopher Nelson,
Chief Executive
Pipes and Drums on Tour