Peebles Beltane Festival, 26th June

Peebles Beltane Week has occured annually since 1897 and this year ran from 20-26th June; rumours that Bob Lillie played at the first festival are, of course, true.

As has 'aye been', we played at the Fancy Dress Parade on Saturday 26th. Following on from Chirnside, another strong band of eight pipers, four sides, two tenor, bass and Drum Major played well.

Pictures and video below:

Chirnside Civic Week: 20 June

A beautiful summers day saw us at Chirnside for the crowning of the Chirnside Queen and the beginning of Chirnside's Civic Week.

A good band of eight pipers, four sides, tenor, bass and Drum Major made a solid sound. More to come in a few weeks at Kelso Civic Week, meantime more practice nights in the School Hall.

Chirnside is the home of legendary motor racing driver and Scottish sporting hero, Jim Clark and any number of philosophers, many of whom can be found in the bar of the Red Lion; but perhaps best known amongst them is David Hume.

Two young drummers

Gordon Thompson sends this picture of Michael Hickman (left) and Richard Spence (right). Gordon comments that Mike Hickman went on to be Drum Major in 1st KOSB and still lives in Leet Street, while Richard Spence is Marion Marjoribanks brother.

11 June Cockburnspath Gala Day

"I need a picture, they won't believe this in Miami".

Madam, we found it hard to believe in Co'path. Particularly at the Gala Day.

Twinning Association celebrates 20th Anniversary

Pictures and story in the Berwickshire News of a big day for the Town and the Band.

Riding of Berwick Bounds

Band before the Riding of Berwick's bounds. Full report in the Berwick Advertiser.

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.