Wallacestone & District Pipe Band

The band’s first major championship of the season was a short, but successful trip to Bathgate where the finished in 3rd place in the grade, behind Colmcille and Portlethen & District.
Well done to all the bands who made the prize list, including Upper Crossgare, who won the drumming prize. The band will be heading off to Belfast on Friday 12th June, to take part in the UK Championships at Stormont and are hoping to build on their success at Bathgate.

Alexander’s of Greenock Shield

The new season is now underway with the band getting off to a great start by winning the L&B Branch indoor contest at Livingston a few weeks ago, after being placed first by both the piping judges and the drumming judge.
The outdoors commenced last weekend at a very wet and windy Gourock Highland Games. The band had a poor start in the grade 3 contest, but recovered well and finished in 4th place, with the drummers lifting the “Alexander’s of Greenock” Shield for the best corps of drums in grade 3.
On Saturday 16th May the band will be competing  at Dunbar games and hope to put in a solid performance in preparation for the British Championships at Bathgate in 2 weeks time.

P M Thomas D McLuckie c.1900

Although the winter months are generally quiet for the band, with engagements few and far between, it seems to be a popular time for family history research.
With the popularity of TV shows such as “Who do you think you are?” and a multitude of websites such as “Ancestry UK” researching a family tree has probably never been more popular.
The band was contacted a few days ago by a the Great Granddaughter of Pipe Major Thomas Davidson McLuckie, who became the band’s second pipe major, back in the 1890’s.
It is hoped that some new information can be gleaned about the early days of the band and the three McLuckie brothers who played with Wallacestone then.
A superb new photograph has already been added to the band’s archive and shows  Pipe Major McLuckie with a fine collection of medals, probably dating back to around 1900.

The band members were sad to hear of the recent death of Erwan Ropars, the former ‘penn soner’ of the Bagad Kemper. Erwan was a hugely talented piper and led his band to 10 Breton Championships during his 25 years in charge.
The Wallacestone pipe band played several concerts along with Bagad Kemper in the 1980’s, with the bagad visiting Scotland in 1987 as part of Wallacestone’s Centenary celebrations.
His funeral in Quimper was attended by around 2000 mourners,
many who brought pipes and bombards to pay tribute to Erwan.

The band held it’s annual ceilidh/dinner dance at the Craiglee Inn, Reddinmuirhead on Saturday 15th of November. A great night was had by all and the band played a final performance of it’s 2014 medley, prior to the ceilidh band getting the dancing underway.

The much coveted “Couper Trophy” which is awarded to a member of the band each season, was awarded so drummer Alan (Joe) Pilley for his efforts during last season.
“Joe” underwent major surgery to replace both his knees just after the UK Championships in June, but was back competing in time for the World championships in August.

Well done Joe – a fantastic effort and a well deserved recipient of the award.

After gaining 6th place at the Scottish Championships in July the band competed at this years World Championships, held in Glasgow Green on 16th August.
In mixed conditions they put in a good performance in the medley heat, making it through to the 3B final, playing their MSR, this time in heavy rain, finishing a very creditable 6th place.
The drum corps also had another successful day, finishing third in the contest and third overall in the Champions of Champions drumming contest.
Well done to Neil, Stewart and all the band for their hard work over the summer.

Bring on 2015!

European Championships

The band travelled to Forres for the European Championships on 28th June where they finished in 6th place.
The drum corps also had a successful day finishing third, which was their third consecutive top three finish at the major championships this season.
They are currently in second place in the race for the 2014
Champion of Champions drumming title behind the Royal Burgh of Annan.

The band enjoyed a very successful day at Ardrossan Highland games on 8th June, winning the grade 3 contest and taking second place in grade 2.
The drummers also won the drumming prize in both grades to round off an excellent afternoon.

The band got off to a reasonably good start at the first major championship of the season, which was held at Bathgate on 31st May. Despite not quite producing the run they had hoped for, they still managed to make the prize list, finishing in 6th place.
Back to work on the MSR now for the UK Championships in Belfast on 14th June.
PM Neil Henderson can be seen receiving the trophy from West Lothian’s singing sensation, Susan Boyle.
Susan declined to duet with Neil on a quick chorus of “The Broon Coo”
but did appear impressed by his new tie!

The band started the new season well with solid performances at both Gourock and Dunbar. Playing in the combined 3A & 3B the band gained 3rd place at Gourock and 5th at Dunbar, finishing ahead of a few of the 3A bands.
Neil and Stewart were pleased with the playing and are looking forward to the first major championship of the year, where they will defend their 3B British Champions title.

Trophies 2013