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By Paddy Grayell Coals to Newcastle? Some time ago, before the band festival, Chris Beek (Heron Band) announced that he was getting married. And as he was marrying Alison (a Scottish lassie), he decided that he needed some pipers. To this end, an invitation was issued to the RNPS to play at the wedding to be held at Castle Campbell, Dollar, Clackmannanshire with the reception taking place at a hotel in Dundee. Volunteers on the day of the race were (left to right and either side of Chris and Alison Beek) Dave Thomson, Bob and Evette Eves, Tanya Colbern, Paddy Grayell and Nathan Colbern. Elaine Grayell was taking the picture. Bob, Yvette, Dave, Paddy and Elaine met up at the castle Campbell Hotel on Friday 30 September and proceeded to sample the some of the 70 malt whiskeys that the hotel boasted. The favourite of the night was Rosebank. After a fortifying ourselves with a full Scottish breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, beans, black pudding and haggis, we assembled at the castle the following morning. We met Alison and her mother resplendent in traditional Norwegian dress awaiting the arrival of the guests. Chris arrived wearing a kilt in the Cornish tartan. The band also had Yvette, Bob and Dave in their Cornish kilts as well. Castle Campbell is a National Trust property and was open to the public throughout the course of the day. The ensemble played before and after the wedding held in one of the castle rooms and a good time was had by all. One visitor complained that the band were all English players but Alison soon put her straight! Alison and Chris were later piped into the reception at the hotel in Dundee after which the band relaxed and quaffed a few pints o’ heavy and 70 shilling along with a few drams of Highland water!!!!!!!!! A grand do and warm up for Cologne!
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