Our drumming editor Stewart Gardiner, himself a former drummer with the Lothian & Borders Police PB, has weighed in with some of the names of those in the above photograph published earlier. The pic of the City of Edinburgh Police PB under P/M Ian MacLeod.
Stewart writes: ‘Re the ECP photo you posted, I think I have a list of just about everyone in it and can look it out if your readers don’t manage to name them. Off the top of my head from left to right, unknown, Davie Boyle, Alan Ronaldson?, Chief Supt. Olly Dixon, Murdo Murray?, Alex Duthart, unknown half covered, Colin Forbes, Harry McNulty, John McIntosh, Bob Montgomery, unknown in shadow, Ian Macleod, Jimmy Hermiston, Alex Shand (in shadow), Chris Anderson. Back row: George Lumsden, Gordon McArthur and Martin Wilson. I suspect the year to be ’68 or ’69 as the band won at Cowal both these years (with Duthart in the band. They also won it in 1971, but Alex was back at Shotts then, although he may still have been invited to the band dinner, I suspect not. The photo was probably taken in ‘The Peacock’ in Newhaven which was the usual venue for the band dinner back then.’ Can any reader fill in the gaps?
History buffs will enjoy today’s article from Geoff Hore in New Zealand. It traces the history of the famous Logan publishing house from the end of the 19th century through the publication of its famous tutor book and its extensive collection of books of music. Geoff speculates that the tutor may have in fact been edited by the great John MacDonald, Inverness.
Reminder to all solo pipers; the Lochaber Gathering this year will be held on August 22 in Fort William. This is several weeks later than previous years and takes place the weekend before the Argyllshire Gathering. Top prizemoney, trophies and medals. Check out the entry form here. The talk this year is on Peter Macleod and his family of composers.
Thanks to the many hundreds of readers who responded so positively to our new drumming column. If you are a drummer and have something to say let’s have your comment – and pictures.
Two weeks to go to the New England Piping Academy, with a healthy intake of students for the first year. The Academy will be sponsored by D Naill & Co. It will offer internal exams as well as those of the PDQB.
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