This was the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion at leek. We have played before under adverse conditions but not in this way. The rain was relentless. wellington boots were the order of the day. Thank goodness for the cape.

Despite the weather there was a good turnout for the parade around the Town to Brough Park. We were very wet by the time we got there but the crowds cheered us on. Most of them followed on to take part at the Drumhead Service.

The Band played again in the rain to entertain the crowd to shouts and cheers, while the time table was re shuffled due to the weather.

Our final performance was moved to a large marquee where most people were sheltering from the rain. It was the beer tent, there is always a silver lining. We played a selection of contempary tunes and even got shouts of more, which we did.

I will say thank you and well done to all the band who attended and played well in such extreme conditions. We could not have been wetter if we played in a swimming pool.

This years event did not dissapoint. The band lead the parade starting on time followed by many of the local children in fancy dress with thier parents and friends. We played around the village proclaiming that the fate was starting. By the time we reached the field we had most of the village in tow.

The weather was great sunshine all day. The main arena was packed with entertainment throughout the day and we played mid afternoon to a most appreciative crowd.

Great day out for all of us

Wow! for a man who is never short of words, what a great weekend. If you have never been to Blists Hill Victorian Town, you should. The place is huge, There is like a posh bit at the top with shops and a real pub. You then work down hill to the steel works. Past the steel works to the poor housing. There is a house there smaller than my shed where 2 adults and 8 children lived.

The staff are very friendly and helpfull and encourage visiters to take in the whole experiance.

We played all three days of the Bank Holiday and what a pleasure it was. Twice each day we played on the green where the main entertainment was and the crowd joined in with singing, dancing and rapterous applause. We even played encores. We also had a roving minstrel commission so played many times in many places drawing the crowds where ever we played, enjoying great appreciation.

Seaforth Highlanders Regimental Association 45th Annual Dinner

The Band attended the 45th Dinner of its association. 144 guests sat down to a 5 course meal, including a distinguished top table. Cpl. Burt McLucas and Piper Richard Galloway piped the guests into the dinning hall. Sgt Stewart Gullen piped in the top table guests and performed the duties as master of ceremonies. Pipe Major Robert Orridge played a lament to the fallen. Sgt Tony Varley stood by to cover all the above duties.

As you can Imagine being a Regimental Dinner there was a lot of tradition and ceremony. The band adding to this with a 20 minute performance following the meal. I would like to say well done to Cameron Ross for his first performance especialy the  duet of amazin grace he performed with his dad Davie Ross. Well done also to Lee Coupe who performed well for the first time out in full uniform.

I have recieved quite a lot of feedback from guests who attanded saying that they had had an exceptional evening and have alredy reserved tickets for next year.

Thank you all for supporting this event.

Mansfield Town Centre and the Parade of Remembrance is waiting for the words of command to take the long journey back up hill from St.Peters Church to the Civic Centre.

The day itself was probably the warmest and most certainly the driest that I ever remember. The turnout was fantastic from the crowds. the band and the parade. I chose this picture just to show the number of people that turned out to parade. In the front is Piper Alex Smith and yes the Police transit is at the back, a long way back. Thank you to every one whom turned up to Honour the fallen.

There is a theme to my blogs and that is that I was again proud to be the Pipe Major of this band. We played well despite the chill wind and new tunes but we still maintained the tunes and had some great starts and finishes. The band size was great with 5 drummers and 13 Pipers.

Now the thank you notes. Piper Alex Smith  for carrying the standard and very smart he was to. Piper Sam Wynn for again playing the Bass drum and doing a sterling job. Colin McAlpine for looking smart, Pipe Sergeant Tony Varley for  an excellent rendition of the lament (sorry you missed the cup of Tea) and every other member of the band for attending and putting the effort in to making us look and sound great.

Piper Richard Galloway and his lovely wife Martha celebrated their 50th welling anniversary with family and friends at the council hall in Retford on Saturday 16/10/2010. Where guests where entertained by a ceilidh band. As is our custom the Seaforth Highlanders played during the night as a special treat for Richard and Martha.

The band played well with some pretty good starts and finishes, the hard work pays off when members of the audience mention it. Keep up the great work.

There is an apology though, I did not take a camera because my daughter has it, so if you have a good picture of Richard, Martha or the band email it to me please.

While at Wensleydale this year (2010) something strange happened and it would be remiss of me not to take full advantage of the situation. Just to introduce the guest members from left to right. Alex Wynn (Sam's brother) who stepped in hoodie and all to play, and rather well, the bass drum. Thank you Alex you have got the job. Then of course there is Sam (band mascot)(now known as Jacob out of twilight) who piped and drummed. Thank you Sam. Then there is Mrs Wynn Known to us all as Ellie who has threatened to play the pipes with us for years, and she did and despite her trepidation gave us a good rendition of Amazin' Grace. Thank you Ellie no more excuses he he. By the way it is Sam's mum. So that is most of the family, And of course the last ugly old fart on the end is me.