Legendary pipe major Richard Parkes concludes this series of articles to mark 40 years of success with FMM, 40 years that has seen him capture an incredible array of trophies and awards both for the band and himself. Recognised by royalty and academia, Richard has, through his achievements, written himself into the history books. In this final section he answers a few more questions from our Editor Robert Wallace. Which…

In this, the third part of this illuminating series, P/M Richard Parkes answers with honesty and candour some questions from our editor Robert Wallace. Richard talks of the first changes he made at FMM, his confidence in being able to do the job, and some of the mistakes he made along the way….. Before you took over FMM did you always fancy being P/M?I always had an ambition to be…

Only P/M Ian McLellan of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band can rival the success of P/M Richard Parkes and his Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. In a remarkable career beginning 40 years ago, Richard has amassed a trophy haul that is unlikely ever to be beaten. He is truly a living legend in the pipe band world and today on Piping Press he begins a look…