Boy done good

As is so often the way a prophet is never recognised in his home town.

The French got their first, honouring Rob Bell, our Pipe Major, in 2009 by making him a Knight of the Brotherhood of Maroilles Cheese, see above pic taken during our trip to Brymbo, Wales.

In Scotland we get there, eventually, and this year Rob has been honoured with Coldstream's Citizen of the Year award. This is a most worthy recognition for someone who has put a great deal into the town and the band. It's good to see Rob given the recognition he deserves and a poignant moment for the band as the recipient of the honour is awarded the Alastair Brown-Scott quaich; in memory of our former colleauge.

The Berwickshire News covered the story in full.

Down at the station 2

Opened in 1849 and closed in 1965, the line ran from Tweedmouth to Kelso with another line branching off, south of Cornhill to Alnwick via Wooler.

Little evidence of the station now, save the name of the housing estate which replaced it: Station Gardens.

Down at the Station

Here's a pub-quiz question.

Q: Name the railway line that had a Scottish station in England and an English station in Scotland?

A: The Tweedmouth to Kelso line. Coldstream station was at Cornhill and Carham station was in Scotland.

Here are some pictures, more to follow, of Coldstream station from the very excellent Northumbrian Railways website at: http://www.northumbrian-railways.co.uk/index.php?page=kelso-branch

Mystery drummer assits Long March

Apprentices at Rutherford's were frequently sent to the stores to ask for a long stand.

Ninety Coldstream Guardsmen of 7th Company are, however, now engaged in a long march to re-enact the foundation of the regiment when, in 1650, and taking the name of our town, they marched South to help King Charles II re-claim the throne, the fools.

Donations in recognition of the march can be made here: http://www.justgiving.com/coldstreammarch

The Guardsmen were led by the Core of Drums and a mystery bass drummer.

Old salts on parade

This years Arimistice Parade marked the 50th year in the Band for Pipe Major Rob Bell and Piper Frank Mount.

08 November 1959 was the first parade where Frank and Rob played in the Band. Rob has made every parade since, other than 10th November 1973 when his nuptials got in the way. (He got married to Elspeth).

Frank and Rob marked the occaision in true style.

Piper in winching-interruptus scandal

Just a normal day in Coldstream.

Rob the piper is out looking for work; spots a potential business opporchancity, swoops and the deal is done.

Game, set and marriage made in heaven!

Drams all round..

The engagement of Christine Gray and Ben Halfpenny on 30/10/09. Rob recently played for Christine and Ben at their engagement on the Craw Green - the event made the Berwickshire News.

Yetholm Show

Unlimited excitement!

New Baby for Pete and Tammi

Leighton Scott, arrived 28th September, 8lb 7.5oz. Flourishing!

Piper in knife attack shock....

While proper members of the band were enduring the blazing 20c heat of Coldstream high street on Flodden Day, in a mountain-top village in Italy, whilst suffering the freezing 20c evening, an angry Italian was taking out his frustrations on one of the part-time members of the band.

Most of you will be pleased to know that Rimorchio the Clown missed the vital organs. He just cut me in the head, ha ha!

Reports that Rimorchio's brother Frageloni the Clown is about to sign a three-year deal as Hibs new goalkeeper are, of course, true.

Apologies for the video being at an angle. To view: tilt your head to the left, only after removing your Glengarry.

Don Costello in hoots mon shocker

Don Costello, former Coldstream Guardsman and good friend of the band. Pictured in Inverness, noising up the locals.

Black Kilts Berlin

On Saturday night we hosted some players from Berlin's Black Kilts pipe band. We had a great night at the Besom, with food provided by Elspeth and great music from various band members and friends. Rebecca has placed a vidoe of the evening on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lqG9NP-qBc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lqG9NP-qBc.

More about the Black Kilts at http://www.blackkilts.de/gallery.html

Dorothy from the Besom presented Gordon with a cheque for £500 for the Band, from collections taken during Civic Week.

Civic Week on YouTube

Clicke here for some Civic Week 2009 memories http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh32akpWDrc

Video of Masssed Bands

Link here to the mighty YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxAlLWMGdW0 for 4 minutes of massed bands mayhem.....

Bad influences, good influences....

James trying to bring order to chaos and get one band in particular to observe some kind of discipline. No names, no pack drill. Dib, dib, dob, dob...

Is Oomy the naughtiest boy in school or are some members of the band easily led? We think the latter. Peter sets an excellent example by drinking H2O, balanced by the fag.

Heard the one about.......

Something was said between these two photos. Answers will win a prize!

Massed bands pics from Mabel

More pictures of Floors, this time sent in by Mabel.

Massed Bands: contribution from Agnes

Agnes has sent in some pictures of the Massed Bands. Rob is looking mightily relieved at the end of the show:

Civic Week 2009

A new set of pictures from Mabel of the band at Civic Week; beating retreat or on the Sunday?

Floors Castle Massed Bands

To Floors Castle for the annual massed bands. Ho hum. Lots of people watching, which must have gladdened the heart of the Chookie Roxburgh who pays us to entertain the tourists while they tour the house, watch the other attractions, spend money, etc.

We were the lead band this year. A great turn-out saw us there in good numbers. (Pictures by Charlotte Lauder).

Over 180 pipers and drummers were on parade, with bands from a' the airts: Dalkeith, North Berwick, Melrose, Hawick, Berwick, Eyemouth, Duns and Kelso. The military band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland were also there to provide a bit of clarinet tootling.

Coldstream featured very strongly this year; we were the lead band for the day: Rob led the pipe majors and selected the tunes, Ian was lead drummer and led the drummers call, Peter played the Royal Salute on the bugle and James was lead drum major and kept the entire show on the road. No mean feat, which he delivered to a very high standard.

As ever, some of the playing was erratic, starts and stops were better this year than previously, but the volume still went up and down like the proverbial fiddlers elbow. The finale was a hilarious, free-jazz fusion of pick a tune, any tune, and play it in whatever order you want. Many thanks to the military band, who led with their own, unique, timing.

Otherwise, this was a good day out and brought to an end our summer season, which began back in June at Cockburnspath. Over the summer, the band has been out in great numbers and it is heartening to see how many young players, pipers and drummers, are now coming through the training programme and featuring regularly as members of the band. It is also good to see people returning to the band, Peter has returned after his service with the army and Graeme Tait, who is now an army recruiter, was also playing with us on Sunday.

More news as it comes, including various oppor-chancities of tours in Germany!