Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band

News

Julie Firth - World Solo Drumming Fund Raiser

For the first time since winning the World Juvenile Solo drumming, a few moons ago, I've decided to compete in this years World Solo Drumming Championships in aid of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.

Along with other members of Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band, I'll be playing with Jim Kilpatricks KP2 Pink edition, so not only will Maggie's benefit from my own fundraising but cancer research will also benefit through our purchase of these sticks.

The event is taking place on October 22nd at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it's the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now - Sponsor Julie in World Solo Drumming for Maggie's Cancer Care Centres

Winter Update and New Novice Band - 20th November 2010

The band has been busy since the end of the competition season. Stuart has introduced one new medley and msr and the team are on the floor with these every practice night. The pipers are now playing David Naill chanters and there have been several new Pipers come on board with more to follow. Stuart reckons he will compete with no less than 20 at the majors next year. The band have moved premises to Fauldhouse Miners Welfare Club which is warmer and more spacious. The 23rd November sees the launch of the novice juvenile band below is an extract from the press release.

With an aim to secure its future, the Grade 1 Torphichen & Bathgate Pipe Band of West Lothian, Scotland, is taking things into its own hands by launching an extensive teaching program, targeting primary schools in its region.

Pipe-Major Stuart Shedden says that his band has taken the cue from the decades of success by cross-region rivals Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia and Simon Fraser University in Canada, two bands that practically wrote the book on proactively teaching young pipers and drummers from scratch so that years down the road they may help the Grade 1 band.

The launch of the new program will be on November 23rd at St. Anthony's Primary School in Armadale, Scotland, after the band put up numerous posters in various villages.

"All children will be started from scratch on the practice chanter or sticks and pads," Shedden said. "No child will be turned away and they will all have a month's trial."

The program was initiated by Torphichen & Bathgate drummer Julie Firth, who will help with the teaching.

"Not only does [the teaching initiative] enable us to put something back into the community, but it also ensures that a regular stream of players will come through the ranks in the years to come," Shedden added. "The piping world only has to look at the success of bands like Boghall and SFU to realise that this type of idea is fundamental to the longevity of a band."

Fundraiser Auction and Raffle Prizes - 21st October 2010

For anyone attending or considering attending the bands fundraiser event on 23rd October, here are just some of the items we have on offer. Cash and Cheques will be taken as payment on the night.

A huge thanks to our contributors for these wonderful items which will be on auction.

Signed Scotland Rugby Top
Signed Hearts Top
Scotland Football Top signed by Scott Brown
Tour of Glasgow Rangers Ibrox Stadium for 6 - Donated by Glasgow Rangers
Golf for 6 at Deer Park Golf Club
Golf for 4 at Bathgate Golf Club - Donated by Bathgate Golf Club
Golf for 2 at Harburn Golf Club - Donated by Harburn Golf Club
Helicopter Ride for 2 over Loch Lomond
2 x 21 Year Old Whisky's
Spa Package compromising Full Body Massage and Luxury Facial - Donated by Woodfield Spa

We'll also be having a raffle with loads of prizes including:

£100 Voucher for Wallace Bagpipes - kindly donated by Craig Munro at Wallace Bagpipes
Bowling for 6 at Deer Park
£15 voucher for the multi award winning Boghall Butchers
A voucher for a dozen reeds - kindly donated by Steve at Keltic Reeds
A case of Belhaven Best - Donated by Belhaven Breweries
Gift Box from Loch Fyne Oysters - Donated by Loch Fyne
3 Dozen Tunnocks Teacakes and 4 Dozen Caramel Wafers - Donated by Tunnocks
2 vouchers worth £100 for Skirmish Paintball
Buy one, get one free meal voucher from the Torphichen Inn
4 x 1.5lb MacSween Haggis
1 bottle 10 year old, sherry cask, Macallan Whisky
Tour for 2 around the Dalwhinne Distillery
1 5L Mini cask and 6 bottle of hand crafted ale from Stewart Brewing
2 Presentation Tubes of the new Premier Snare Sticks

Pipe Major Bob Martin - 10th October 2010

"It is with much sadness that we must inform bandsfolk, friends and everyone attached with the band, past and present, of the passing of Pipe Major Robert "Bob" Martin. Bob passed away peacefully on the afternoon of October 3rd, 2010, in Edinburgh following complications from knee surgery after a fall on September 20th.

Bob joined Torphichen as a boy, becoming a key member of the band before joining Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band during its founding years. He soon became Pipe Major of the band and under his leadership, the band moved swiftly from Grade 4 to Grade 1 and quickly established itself as one of the world's premier bands. During this time his sons, Fraser and Douglas, also competed in the band.

He remained an enthusiastic regular at pipe band competitions, taking great pride in seeing his sons competing, and more recently, his granddaughter taking up the pipes, before moving to tenor drumming with Torphichen & Bathgate.

His wife, Jessie, and sons, Fraser and Douglas, survive Bob Martin. The family extends its thanks to those who have sent messages of support over the last two weeks. Details of funeral arrangements are not yet determined.

On behalf of Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band, we extend our condolences to Bob Martin's family and friends at this sad time."

Bob's Cremation will take place at 10:15 on Tuesday, October 12, at West Lothian Crematorium, Cousland Wood, Starlaw Place, off of Starlaw Road, Livingston, Scotland. The family welcomes all who wish to pay their respects and request that bandsmen wear their uniform if they wish.

Fundraising Ceilidh - 18th September 2010

Band Logo Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band will be holding a fundraising Ceilidh at the Beancross Restaurant on the 23rd Ocotber.

Tickets are priced at £20 and this includes the Ceilidh, a disco and a buffet.

The band will also be performing on the night as well as a raffle and an auction.

The event starts at 7.30 and transport will be available from Whitburn, Bathgate and Armadale for an additional £5 per head.

For tickets please contact Callum either via the contact page or via mobile on 07876 520 842.

For more information on our auction prizes click here.

1st Place at Season Opener

The band was delighted to take a first place in the first outdoor event of 2010 at Dunbar Highland Games on Saturday 8th May.

Band at Gourock 2010

Playing last in the grade the band took a first place in piping and a second place in drumming to beat Lothian and Borders Police on the day from judges Ian McLellan (Piping) and Alistair Aitken (Drumming).

On the opening weekend of the season the band also headed to Gourock on Sunday 9th. Overall the band finished in 3rd place behind Scottish Power and Inveraray and District.