CPB now on Facebook

The Band now has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/coldstreampipeband which will gradually overtake the blog as the quickest way to keep up to date with our activity. This is a great development and keeps us moving forwards; over the years we have migrated from website, to blog, to Facebook and Twitter.

Meantime, here are some images from Flodden 2013

Flodden Latest

The Times newspaper today carries the image below with the wording:

The 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden in 1513 is marked by knights at Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, where a banner still hangs that was brought home by Thomas Berkeley, who was knighted for his part in the defeat of the Scots. (p.16)

The picture below is of Charles Berkeley, the current heir to Berkeley Castle with a facsimilie of the original banner, the origins of which are unclear - it may have been a catured Scottish banner. This will be deisplayed at Etal Castle this weekend in a re-enactment of the Battle.

The above story reminded us of the church window in Middleton, Greater Manchester, which depicts the heroics of Sir Richard Assheton and the Middleton Archers who played an important role in the English victory. The stained glass window is held to be the World's oldest stained glass war memorial.

Kelso civic week 2013 (2)

A new batch of photos of the Saturday in Kelso have arrived; marching 'in good order' as they say.

Kelso civic week 2013

Kelso civic week ended with its annual fancy dress parade.

A lovely summers evening meant a huge crowd and a very slow parade; good fun throughout.

The parade ended, as always, with a massed bands - Kelso, Musselburgh Boys Brigade and two ranks of blue down the  left hand side.

Thanks to the Cricket Club for some pleasant drinks overlooking the pitch.

Sad to see that Scotland's obesity epidemic is now affecting Border bands

And Alex smiles on

Flooers o' the Forest

The CD entitled Flooers of the Forest, which features our own Rob Bell singing his composition 'The Floddden Ride' has already received some very good reviews.

The album is now released and available from the Greentrax record label.

The Flooers O' The Forest

Greentrax, the highly respected folk music label, are soon to release a specially produced compilation album of song and poetry remembering the battle of Flodden 1513. The CD features the best of Scottish talent, Karine Polwart, Dick Gaughan, Gary West on pipes and our own Rob Bell with his composition: The Flodden Ride. Great to see Dick and Karine on the same recording as Rob.

This year is, of course, the 500th anniversary of this pivotal moment in the relationship between Scotland and England and its effect on the Borders.

Peebles 2013

A great summers day at the culmination of the Peebles Beltane Festival, which includes the always excellent fancy dress parade. Cracking weather, no rain.

Peebles Beltane festival: 22 June

We leave Coldstream at 8:45am on Saturday, the band is as follows:

Pipers: Duncan, Keith, Rob, Gordon, Sam, Jamie, John.
Drummers: Ian, Chris, Peter, Chloe, Alex, James.

 

 

Chirnside Gala Day

First gig of the summer season was the annual trip across the Merse to Chirnside for the Gala Day.

Warm and sunny weather meant for a good day out with seven pipers, bass, tenor and two sides making a good sound. More photos to follow.

Next up is Peebles on Saturday - details to follow.

The BBC has produced a handy guide to Common Ridings with Coldstream featuring.

Karnaval de Kulture (2)

More evidence of the dreadful conditions endured by James and Pete during their trip to the Black Kilts in Berlin.

Karnaval de Kulture in Berlin

In May James and Pete visited our good friends the Black Kilts of Berlin (pic from 2012) to provide some instruction and play at the annual Karnaval de Kulture, which was held on 19th May.

The Karnaval is a street parade and acts as an annual celebration of the many and diverse cultures living in Berlin.

The Karnaval looks like a lot of fun, though James reports that he and Pete had an awful time.

Drumming on t'internet

Following a deluge of requests from Alex, we at Blog HQ have selected a number of online drumming resources for the rear ranks, we hope they're useful, as follows;

http://www.jimkilpatrick.co.uk

http://www.scottishpipebanddrumming.com

http://www.scottniven.co.uk

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/38287.html

PM Bell on the Western Front

Rob features in the current Berwickshire News; covering a trip he made with friends to the battlefields of Northen France to trace and pay respects to local men who never returned.

Rob played the lament 'Flooers o' the Forest' at the Menin Gate near Ypres, picture.