Our Patron, Harry Renfree, died on 26 December. He was a long time supporter of the Band, became our President in 2007, and after many years in that role he retired to take up the position of Patron. His presence at band practices and our parades was always welcome. He organised our flag bearers and compered many of our concerts. Harry was always a gentleman and gave great support to all our members, young and old. Thank you Harry for all that you did for the Band.
We enjoyed playing for the Waipukurau Christmas event. Held ion the main street, we were able to entertain with our usual mix of music which attracted the interest of several local highland dancers
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On Sunday 6 Dec we paraded, with our friends from HB Caledonian, at the head of the Napier Christmas Parade. While it was rather warm there was a big turnout of band members to entertain the spectators.
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We’re expecting our supporters and others to enjoy our last concert for the year, A Touch of Tartan Concert. This is being staged at the Taradale & District RSA on Sunday 22 November. Starting at 6.30pm the programme features many of the old favourites as well as some new music prepared during the recent lockdowns. Our new young members will also be taking part. No entry fee but a gold coin donation would be appreciated.
On Monday we will be paying our last respects to long time member of our band and others, Robin Sudfeldt.
Robin started his career in pipe bands in 1950 at the tender age of 8yrs. He joined up with the Hawke’s Bay Scottish Pipe Band and started having lessons with Gordon McArthur. After a year he shifted away with his parents and it was not until much later, 8yrs in fact, that he joined up with the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Hawke’s Bay Regiment, he was now in the Territorial Army, under the guidance of the late Jack Seton. This lasted for 2-3yrs and he was on the move again to join up with the City of Rotorua as well as the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Hauraki Regiment. This didn’t last long and he was off to join the City of Upper Hutt Pipe Band where he stayed on for around 10yrs spending 8 of those as Drum Major. While in the Wellington area he also had a short stint with the City Of Wellington No 2 and the Pipe and Drums of Wellington City. From there it was back to the City of Hastings for a year, then Waipawa and Districts, but he soon found his way back to the City of Upper Hutt and also The Band of the 7th Battalion Royal NZ Infantry Regt. Then in 1991 he was on the move once again this time back to the Bay. Here he joined up with the City of Napier No 2 as Drum Major progressing through to become DM of the No l band. It was not long after that Robin was to follow his friends to the newly formed Drones & Sticks PB for a few years before once again moving, this time to Auckland where he played with the City of Manukau and other bands.
What we all remember is his great enjoyment of pipe bands, his friendly nature and his sense of humour. He was generous with his time and resources and had a lot of time for the youngsters in the band, making sure when we were away on trips that they were safe and looked after.
We will miss Robin.
After a deferral because of Cobid-19 level changes the Combined Pipe Bands of Hawke’s Bay will now be parading on Saturday 3 October in the Hasting’s Blossom Parade. Here’s the list of tunes we’ll be playing:
On Monday 6 July the Band held its AGM at the band rooms. Band officers for the coming year are
Patron: Harry Renfree
President: Julie Baxter
Secretary: Keith James
Treasurer: Kerry Marshall
Committee Members: Jason Kaan, Margaret Lumb, Richard Loan and Nick Scannell
Musical Directors: Richard Loan and Ken McLoughlin
Drum Sergeant: Alan Lawton
Custodian: Don Stuart
The awards for contribution to the band went to:
Waynne Valler, Neville Lumb, Penny Marshall and Amber Lumb-Peteli
We reflected on a year that has been different but we are all set to get back into what we do best, music and parading.
As the Band prepares for the commencement of practices and meetings protocols for these gatherings have been established by the Committee. You can down load the full memo by clicking here.
It is expected that band practices, meetings and other gatherings will re-commence with the AGM on Monday 6 July with the following restrictions in place:
All band members will be expected to follow the hygiene and sanitation practices in line with Ministry of Health general cleaning information-covid-19:
| Tunes we will revise this week: | |
| The new tune | The Children's Song Click here for the music Listen to the tune |
| Play the new 4/4 bracket | Wings, The 1976 Police Tattoo and The Children's Song |
| The Hornpipe | Swing of the Kilt p107 |
| The 4/4 bracket | Chief Mike Metcalf p142 RAF 100 p143 |
| The Scotland the Brave Bracket | Scotland the Brave p134 The Rowan Tree Bonnie Galloway |
| This week's chocolate fish question: | What annual event was inspired by a show performed in 1949 called 'Something About a Soldier'? As there were no correct answers to last week's question I get the chocolate fish again |
| This week's bonus clip: | Could you do this? |
| Recent tunes to be revised: | On the music page |
| Tunes we will revise this week: | |
| The Irish Bracket | Starting on p138: The Leaving of Liverpool Kelly the Boy from Killane No Awa Tae Bide Awa The Minstrel Boy Will Ye No Come Back |
| The new 4/4's | Wings & the 76 Police Tattoo Listen to the two tunes |
| The new tune | The Children's Song Click here for the music Listen to the tune |
| two slow airs | Loch Rannoch p13 Scots Wha Hae p2 |
| This week's chocolate fish question: | Which group sang The Leaving of Liverpool in a previous bonus clip? The winners of last week's question were Julie and Ken - as we're in lockdown I had to eat the chocolate fish prize before it went off sorry. |
| This week's bonus clip: | Drum's 'n' Roses |
| Recent tunes to be revised: | On the music page |
