PP Ed’s Blog: Hospital Fundraiser/ WW1 Poem/ Peace Garden/ William Norris/ Oban 1990

An enjoyable evening on Saturday at the fundraiser organised by P/M Ross Cowan and his wife Claire for the Wishaw neo-natal unit in Lanarkshire.

In all the evening raised over £3,000 for the unit. A very busy main auditorium at the Piping Centre (above) heard music from a quartet from Scottish Power PB, top professionals Gordon Bruce, William Geddes, Finlay Johnston and Darach Urquhart, and junior pipers from Ross’s band, North Lanarkshire Schools.


Chris Mulinder in South Africa has sent this short poem re the WW1 commemorations.

Chris says, ‘Not Burns, but there it is’:

When the battle sounds have faded
And we’ve laid down the arms of war,
When the battle sounds have faded
Peace again when the battle’s o’er.

Remember heroes, fallen heroes
Sadly passed on to heaven’s door,
Remember heroes, fallen Heroes
We recall when the battle’s o’er.

In this picture Chris (right) is pictured with Chris Terry, Grahamstown. Between them these two gentlemen have done a remarkable amount of work for piping in South Africa

Anna Rhodes of the Piper’ Peace project: ‘Last week we visited Pipers’ Peace as well as eleven other gardens representing countries who fought during WW1.

‘You can find out more about the peace garden project and see pictures of the individual gardens here: http://www.artetjardins-hdf.com/en/directory-project/jardins-de-la-paix/

We we’re pleased to see that the bagpipe sculptures had been installed and looking fab! We’ll be visiting again in the spring and are looking forward to seeing how the garden will grow.

‘Thank you all again for taking an interest in this project and making very kind donations.

‘We’ll be closing down this funding page but if you’d like to follow us on Instagram (anna_rhodes__ or melissajaneorr) or check back on our website (www.anna-rhodes.co.uk) and we’ll be sure to update you with images from future visits.’


Reader Stephen Beattie writes regarding P/M William Norris and the Glenallan Collection. There is a mention here Stephen.


Grateful to John Don MacKenzie, Dornie, for these lists of pipers at the 1990 Argyllshire Gathering.

JD writes: ‘I found this light music programme inside a book (my mum was a bit of a hoarder).

‘I suspect it’s the only surviving play list from the light music at Oban that year. It was the first year I started playing again and my first time down in Oban.

‘Didn’t get anything but in 1991 I was third in the B march and had a third in the Silver Medal.’

The late Hugh MacInnes at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1981. Hugh featured in the Former Winners in 1990 (below) and here he plays in the Marches for judges, P/M Ronnie MacCallum, Dr Colin Caird and P/M John D. Burgess

‘B’ grade lists to follow. If anyone has the prizelists from the above please forward.


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2 thoughts on “PP Ed’s Blog: Hospital Fundraiser/ WW1 Poem/ Peace Garden/ William Norris/ Oban 1990

  1. Robert
    Thanks for posting the photo of Hughie. Brought back a lot of memories.
    Just one wee thing, I think he won the marches at Oban in the mid 70’s, 1976 I think. Could have he been playing in the Former Winners in the photo? Was it still played ouside at that point?

    Thanks
    Clive

    1. I think you are probably right Clive. It was certainly played outside in 1981.
      Hugh was a great piper; of that there can be no question. RW

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