Latest News October 18th - More pipers needed for Cologne - if you want to fly the dates are 19 - 24 February otherwise allow an extra day either side to go on the coach. Contact Paddy Grayell NOW as bookings have to be made early to save costs. September 19th - Congratulations to Ex-CPO Pete Jones and CPO Carol Fell who tied the knot up in Coulter near Biggar on 22nd August - more in the feature article 6th - Paddy Grayell, our Portsmouth Rep, is taking part in a fundraising event for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund on board HMS Victory on 10th October. The fund has helped over 1000 children of serving and ex-serving personnel over the past year and it is hoped to do more in the future with events like these. More after the event. August 11th - Welcome a new member, Pamela Lucas, who is in the Chaplaincy service and a member of the RNR. She is currently working at the North Hampshire Hospital and learning to play the pipes under tuition by Iona MacDonald. We look forward to meeting her, hopefully playing at next year's Festival. June 11th - There have been a number of articles in the press relating to carriage of swords for highland dancing etc, mostly written in ignorance of the Law. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 states that such things may be carried provided that the sharp pointy things "...... are for use at work, for religious reasons or as part of any national costume". Obviously this applies to the wearing of dirks and daggers as part of Highland Dress and clearly that reason must be demonstrated in the context of the occasion - it is doubtful that they would be tolerated by an officer of the law if they were worn as normal daily wear unless that was part of the job description! May 08 24th - Feature Article on Graham Dillaway - RNPS Life Member, ex MEA and member of HMS Caledonia and Neptune Pipe Bands in the early 70's. 9th - Allan MacKenzie writes: http://www.theworlds.co.uk/mainpage.html For anyone interested in Pipe Band competitions, this is the best video-documentary I've seen. BBC Presenter Jacqui Byrd interviews Canadian Bob Worrall for colour-commentary. It's lengthy, so find the small tab at the bottom of the video screen if you want to fast forward to the better parts. April 08 14th - RNVBA Festival weekend and RNPS 2008 AGM - 27/28 June - This is an opportunity to meet shipmates and fellow members socially as well as playing a few tunes and checking out the administration of the Society. Being held again in Portsmouth the typical routine is in the Events section under "RNPS Events". Paddy Grayell is the organiser and is now preparing the paperwork - all he needs is names AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and ideally now. The Agenda for the AGM will follow traditional lines but if anyone would like any particular item to be discussed please let the Secretary know as soon as possible - see "contact us". March 08 13th - Would all Members and Friends please note that the membership List in "about us" now reflects only those whose subscriptions are up to date. 5th - RNPS AGM and RNVBA Festival is on 28th June - make a date in your diaries now to keep the evening of 27th and the rest of the weekend free! Further details in "Events" section. 1st - LNN Kathleen Macleod represented the Royal Navy pipers by playing at the 'Grand Military Ball' held at the Imperial War Museum on Saturday 23 February to raise money for the two charities Help for Heroes and Combat Stress. She writes: "as the two hundred or so guests arrived through the main entrance an RAF piper and I stood on either side playing solo's and duets, alternating so that we each had a break, but we played for about 45 minutes. During dinner the Band of the Blues and Royals played on the balcony, we joined in for Highland Cathedral, and Scotland the Brave, along with Highland Laddie and The Black Bear, which sounded good from were I was standing! I always enjoy playing the likes of Highland Cathedral with a brass band, but it was great to have the opportunity to play with the Blues and Royals! Our part in the night was over after these tunes, but the ball went on till late, and I believe was a great success. I enjoyed the night, and was proud to play at such an event, so thank you RNPS for that opportunity". February 08 20th - From
Halifax, Nova Scotia - A bit of news from Allan MacKenzie, he writes:
"The Grade
One band (78th Highlanders-Halifax Citadel) is steady at it, over here.
We were at the World's in Aug 07 but placed about 15th. We were aiming
for the top ten but defeated ourselves with a less than usual play on
the day!! We've chosen to not go this year for financial reasons. We'll
go to the North Americans in Maxville Ontario (nr Ottawa and Montreal),
and have been offered to go to California...unconfirmed. Our numbers are
OK, but we haven't got the population base (Toronto) that the other
78th(Frasers) band has. Bruce Gandy is our Pipe Sgt. His son Alex had
been a member, but successfully gained a spot in Field Marshall
Montgomery band last January, and is now a World Champion!! Good going
for an 18 yr old Canadian! 19th - News from our man in Australia - see feature article 7th - The website has caught another former member - Graham Dillaway, now living in Aberdeenshire - feature article idc January 08 4th - Another photo for the early years gallery and an addition to the feature on HMS Caledonia's Pipe Band from John Dixon. 3rd - A chance encounter on the internet whilst looking for a picture of an old ship put me in touch with Phil Payne, one time P/M of HMS Caledonia's Pipe Band - see "features" for more. 1st - The rules of the society (revised 2008) are now available to download in pdf format from "about us" section. New picture in "galleries" (early years) - HMS Caledonia Pipe Band - plus new dit in the "pipebox" relating to the employment of Marines in 1772 as pipers on board ship - for their musical ability. December 07 22nd - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Members and Friends 18th - CPO Dave Maitland has taken over as SW Area (Devon and Cornwall) Rep. 15th - LNN Kathleen Macleod will be representing the Society as a piper alongside army and RAF pipers at a function in aid of "Help the Heroes and Combat Stress" at the Imperial War Museum in February. 2nd - RNPS priorities for 2008 are the RNVB Festival weekend/RNPS AGM and Portsmouth Navy Days - details to follow idc. November 07 26th - Welcome a new member, AB William Child and two new friends of the Society, Chenda Newton and Alan Foggie. William is a piper who has only recently joined the Navy but has been playing with the Wessex Highlanders and previously as a piper at Dunrobin Castle. He also had the distinction of playing for the Queen when she visited the highlands during her Golden Jubilee tour. Chenda is playing tenor drum alongside Andy Morrow in the newly formed Kernow Ps and Ds in Cornwall and Alan Foggie has just joined up with the Rose and Thistle having spent some years playing in the Dundee Boys Brigade and Tayside Police bands. We look forward to meeting on the next occasion we all get together. 12th - RNPS capes are available for purchase from the QM (Paddy Grayell - see contact us) - click here for photo of cape - the white splodge on the outer cape, starboard side, is actually an extremely good embroidered version of the bonnet badge! Price £30 and an excellent Christmas present for the naval piper or drummer. October 07 13th - AGM Minutes and Reports now on the site - see About Us - AGM minutes and Reports 3rd - Cologne 2008 - The financial basis for Cologne has changed. Up till now HMS Heron has been lucky to get a very favourable coach hire deal and some commercial sponsorship to add to the funds from naval sources and payment from the gigs. Unfortunately the coach deal is no longer available, sponsorship has run out and transport passenger requirements have been tightened which altogether brings a significant rise in costs. In short this means that everyone who wants to go to Cologne will have have to pay £100 for the pleasure. Whilst for many this may be a difficult pill to swallow it still offers a tremendous experience for £20 a day, door to door and all found! To help place things in perspective and to illustrate the financial aspects HMS Heron's official report on Cologne 2007 is available on this link and the accompanying financial report is on this link. Please do not bombard the RNPS committee, or the HMS Heron VBI with less than useful comments but if there are any properly worked out cost alternatives let us know quickly. September 07 28th - New feature article "A tale of Two Chief GIs" (CPO(Ops)Ms in modern parlance) with kind permission from the author, Murdo MacLeod, and the website of Am Baile where it was found - could not resist offering in full, especially for Pete Jones, who might ask folk to gather round and take questions after reading. Also new dit extracted from WW2 People at War referring to a piper blasting over some Japanese propaganda. Minutes of the AGM should be along soon - just checking the draft. 26th - New feature article "The Skirl o' the Pipes" drawn from the BBC Archives WW2 People at War. Harry Hargreaves recollections as a young sailor on board HMS Wallace of the sound of the pipes around about the time of Dunkirk and later. 25th - AGM photos in galleries - recent times 20th - Cologne 2008 - if you wish to be considered for participation contact Paddy (see contact us) noting that bids for places have to be in by 1st October and there may be an increase in personal costs. The coach party will leave Yeovilton on the evening of Wednesday 30th January and be back in UK on the morning of Wednesday 6th February. Those going by air can leave on the Thursday afternoon/evening and be back on the following Tuesday night. August 07 31st - Welcome new member David Gallie who has just joined the Navy as an air engineering technician. David taught himself to play pipes in 03/04 and then joined a local band. We look forward to seeing him at our events and hope we can help with his improvement. 30th - Willie Armstrong (Red Hot Chilli Pipers) has two good sets of pipes lying under his bed and would be willing to lend them out to RNPS Members with a deserving case - please get in touch via this website (contact us - admin). 29th - A few folk have not paid their subs - soon please or risk being removed from the list and double the price to rejoin!! 5th - John Haynes, our London Rep and also Pipe Sergeant of the London Irish Rifles, played at the funeral of Grenadier Guardsman Daryl Hickey last Thursday. Another casualty of the war in Afghanistan, Hickey died a brave young man in a fire fight with the Taliban. At the regiment's request John played Highland Cathedral in concert with a small Guards band as the coffin was moved out of a packed Birmingham church. July 07 26th - From the
Secretary - The AGM was held in HMS Nelson on Friday 13th July. It
was a lively event, with much discussion and debate of RNPS issues. The
minutes and Treasurer's report will be posted on the website shortly.
The following day saw two RNPS performances at the Royal Naval Volunteer
Band Festival (RNVBF). Both went well and were much
appreciated by those watching. Unfortunately attendance was
down on previous years and there was no opportunity for any competition
events. As usual this weekend is more of an occasion to meet fellow
members and friends and this one was no exception. Our President,
Admiral Sir Jock Slater, joined us on the Saturday and thoroughly
enjoyed being there and meeting many RNPS members. He was most
appreciative of all that was done to make it such a successful pair of
days. Particular thanks go to Paddy Grayell for an outstanding
organisational job and to Bill Gass, Ian Kempsell and Nathan Colbern for
their assistance with sorting out and tuning up. 25th - From one of our newest members - Willie Armstrong, who is a member of the red hot chilli pipers, he says check out their new website www.redhotchillipipers.com May 07 25th - RNPS AGM and RNVB Festival on 14th July - names and bids for accommodation have to be in by 1st June - so if you can attend contact Paddy Grayell now - see "contact us". 16th - Navy Pipe Banner unearthed in the Museum of Piping - full story in the Piping Times and copied in the "Pipe Box section - Dits" 9th - Welcome two new members, Ian MacDonald from Orkney and Willie Armstrong from Glasgow. Ian is an ex PRI (PO(Ops)R in new navy) and now the Sector Manager for HM Coastgaurd in Orkney. He is a piper at advanced level and Secretary of the Stromness RBL Pipe band. Although unlikely to attend many RNPS events he intends to try whilst visiting family in Scotland and further south. Willie was an AEM(R) and spent most of his time on HMS Ark Royal before leaving the service. He was tutored by Roddy MacLeod MBE and reached grade 1 at 16 years old. He currently plays with Scottish Power and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and time permitting he is keep to help out RN shipmates. Some good dits to come from north of the border? April 07 24th - Cologne 2007 - see feature article 14th - 6 meet in New York - Paddy Grayell was there for a family wedding, Andy Morrow was with members of the Cornwall Caledonian, David Maitland was on holiday with his family and Irene Robinson, Nigel Ball and Campbell de Burgh decided to take a break and attend the City Tartan Week Parade on Saturday 14th April. Story as a feature article. March 07 RNPS AGM and RNVB Festival is on the weekend of 14th July - see RNPS events. February 07 23rd February - A good trip to Cologne - 15 Members and Friends of the Society went with the RN Volunteer Bands to take part in the last days of the Cologne Karnival, including the world famous Rosenmontag Parade. Led by HMS Heron Volunteer Band the pace was as hectic as usual but all survived having thoroughly enjoyed the event. Many thanks go to Nathan Colbern and Paddy Grayell for all the organisation for the RNPS contingent, the Dangerous Brothers for transporting the kit and well done to Ian Kempsell for his part as Pipe Major. Photos soon. January 07 11th - Welcome John Bibby as a new member. Currently living in Suffolk, but in the process of moving to Dorset, John has been a drummer for many years with his naval experience starting from life in the Fleet Air Arm at Lossiemouth (HMS Fulmar). The list of members and friends in "about us" has now been culled to life members and subscription payers only! Previous news items December 06 31st - Happy New Year to all and welcome back as a member Sergeant Fiona Lynn, an RAF medic, who was working on attachment to the Navy in Haslar and from where she joined us through the Rose and Thistle some while ago - we lost touch when her paperwork went astray! 9th - The Society will be sad to learn that one of our long standing members, Rod McWilliams of the Rose and Thistle Band, passed away this afternoon. A charming man, he was always ready to lend a helping hand and will be sorely missed. Further details can be obtained by contacting Nathan Colbern, P/M of the R&T. 4th - Welcome Captain Iain Greenlees RN back as a member. Now based in Portsmouth he is aiming to catch up on some years of not much playing! Also welcome as a Friend Theresa Cake who currently plays tenor drum with the Cornwall Caledonian Band. Theresa's application was supported by her partner Steve Middlewick (side drum) and we look forward to seeing both of them at Cologne in February - Steve under control - now there's a thing. November 06 29th - Revised music selection published for ratification at 2007 AGM - see "about us -music". Additional photos added to feature article on David Mellis and in appropriate galleries. 17th - The season of goodwill is nearly upon us and the Committee exudes goodwill to all members and friends who have paid this years subscription. The Membership Secretary has now given up chasing the rest and will remove from the list those who have not coughed up by New Years Eve! Seriously, without this small amount from each of you every year we will not be able to fund the stock of badges, run the website, manage the membership record, keep our limited amount of kit in good order, attend to official duties, help out with the costs of the annual get-together and support the cologne addicts. From the 1st January 2007 the list of members and friends published within "about us" on this website will have to be reduced to subscription and life members only - that means that about a dozen names might well disappear and if necessary the cost of re-introducing them will have to be considered. October 06 24th - Very sadly Graham Irvine passed away after recent discovery of a fierce illness. Although not a member of the RNPS, Graham was a member of the Rose and Thistle Band and he regularly supported RNPS events. For those that knew him his funeral is being held at 1400 on Thursday 26th October at St Mary's Church Gosport. The Rose and Thistle band will be escorting the procession to the church from the green on the corner at the Avenue end of Green Lane, mustering at 1245. Graham was a dentist, originally from Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and amongst many other things he will be remembered by us for his characteristic sense of humour and his willingness to play for the benefit of others. He will be sorely missed. 17th - new feature article on the late Captain David Mellis, new link added for Ringwood Pipe Band and new page added in "about us" for roll of offices held since 1993. 8th - Sadly we have to report that the founder member of the original RNPS has passed away. Captain David Mellis DSC Royal Navy died on Thursday 28th of September at the age of 91. His funeral was held on Friday 6th of October at Salen on the Isle of Mull and was attended by Commander Campbell de Burgh OBE Royal Navy (Rtd) representing the President and the Society. Without David's support the Society in its present form would probably never have taken off. It was largely his encouragement that gave Campbell and Bill Gass part of the reason to do all the work necessary for us to have a Society today and it was fitting that as the Society's reviver Campbell attended and played at the graveside. It rained nearly all day, and as the last notes of the "flowers of the forest" faded, the heavens opened, the wind howled and the return ferry to Oban was cancelled! David had a fine sense of humour and service which we will try and illustrate with a feature article in due course. 1st - Welcome to Bruce Royd-Taylor as a Friend of the Society supported by Nathan Colbern. Bruce is a piper of advanced standard who has recently joined the Rose and Thistle band and also plays with the Pinstripe Highlanders in London. Sad farewell to Jean Hart who leaves through weight of other personal commitments but hopes to rejoin sometime in the future - we thank her for her contribution to date and look forward to meeting again when times are less busy. City of Bristol Pipe Band have a new website - see "links" New dit in the pipe box - from 1944! September 06 25th - Good luck to our outgoing Secretary, Stewart Bankier and welcome to the new Secretary, Cdr Nigel Morton. Stewart is shortly to go on loan appointment to the RAN and promises to keep in touch with southern hemispherical news - our thanks to him for holding the reigns of the Society and we look forward to his return in due course. Nigel Morton (photo in "about us - dress code") joined the RN in 1983, having read Microbiology at University College Cardiff. He joined a branch which was then called the ‘Supply and Secretariat’ branch, but which has in the intervening years transmogrified into the ‘Supply’ branch, and is now the Logistics branch. He has served in a wide range of sea and shore appointments, many of which have been as Admiral’s or Captain’s Secretary, the Logistics Commander at RNAS Yeovilton, and as the Naval Staff officer responsible for writing speeches, articles and presentations for the First Sea Lord. He is currently working in the Defence Logistics Organisation in Bristol, as Military Assistant to the head of the Maritime element of the DLO. He has been a piper for approximately 5 years, and believes that he is making some headway in his attempts to play !! His family home is in North Somerset, and his other interests, when family demands allow, include sailing, watching cricket, walking and reading. RNPS tune lists - we are reviewing the common tunes list in an attempt to reflect what we actually play at our annual gathering and at events like Cologne. The aim is to be as helpful as possible to the bands that support us as well as to individual Naval pipers, making it as easy as possible for ship and establishment pipers to move amongst the bands on change of appointment or draft. In the same section you will see that we are also reviewing the list of tunes which assist pipers to assess our advanced standard. All the proposed changes have been sent to selected RNPS members who are in or are P/Ms of the bands listed in "links" for comment and the proposed changes are also identified in red in "about us - music" for general information. New pages on the website - to replace the guest book we have introduced three new pages under "pipebox" for dits, tips and wants and sales. The dits page is meant to be less formal than the feature articles page but the editor will set a limit to maintain a semblance of tone! Any member or friend of the Society with a story to tell, advice to give or bits to sell or buy that are connected with piping should either write or email the website administrator (details in "contact us"). Annual Subscriptions - the majority of members and friends pay their annual sub of £5 by bankers standing order, the method we far prefer. However a number of folk have not yet made the subscription due on the 1st April and because we do not want to lose people by default this causes a lot of work in chasing up. We have tried emailing and now letters have been written in an attempt to resolve things - so if you read this and you have moved and/or changed your email address and you think you have subs outstanding please check with the Membership Secretary, preferably by email (see "contact us") as soon as possible. The list of members and friends in "about us" will be reduced to subs paying folk only at the end of the year. If you are a Cologne addict, attendance is only open to people on the list on the 1st January. August 06 18th - Welcome to 3 new friends of the Society, Kevin Strachan (piper) and Keiron Cooney (piper) of the Rose and Thistle and supported by Nathan Colbern, and Irene Robinson (piper) of the Ringwood Pipe Band, supported by Campbell de Burgh. All have played at various events with us and we look forward to a long association with them. 7th - Welcome to a new honorary member Tom Wheeler. Tom is ex RAF and sponsored by Andy Morrow (also ex RAF). He plays side drum with the Cornwall Caledonian band and has already attended a couple of RNPS events and we look forward to many more appearances. At the same time we say a sad farewell to Chaplain Rory MacLeod who is now back in civvy street with a parish way up in the north of Scotland replacing the Royal Marines he served with over the last few years - we wish him well. July 06 14th - Another successful and well attended AGM held during the RNVBA Festival over the weekend of 1st July (46 on parade - photo in Recent Times Gallery) superbly organised by Paddy Grayell. Also an opportunity to congratulate Allan MacKenzie on the award of his MBE, to thank him for all his help and participation in RNPS events and to wish him well as he returns to Canada - photo in Members Gallery. Competition results: Advanced piping - Kathleen MacLeod Intermediate piping - Bob Gladdis Drumming - Ashley Kinnard Minutes of the AGM and Treasurer's report in "about us - AGM minutes" June 06 26th - The guest book is no longer published due to the amount of Junk mail it attracts - if anyone knows a way (that I can understand) of preventing unwanted comments please let me know! 19th - Reminder for the AGM and RN Band Festival event Friday 30th June and Saturday 1st July - details see Events (RNPS) 14th - Welcome to 2 new members and a new Friend of Society - adding to the list of members are OM(W)1 Adam McCabe as the ship's piper for HMS Edinburgh (feature article in due course) and ex Leading Wren Gillian Wallace, now playing tenor drum with the Wessex Highlanders. David Haskins rejoins as a piping Friend having seen the light and given up drums for a while! David's application is fully supported by the whole committee. April 06 25th - Stewart Bankier played a farewell to FOSNNI, Rear Admiral Nick Harris, aboard HMS Brockelsby as she sailed down the Gareloch. Admiral Harris was a strong supporter of the RNPS and we wish him well in future adventures. Photo in the members gallery. 18th - Much belated welcome to Susanne and Achim Stump who have been "friends" of the Society for several years through playing with us in Germany during the Cologne Carnival week. Their formal application is supported by Campbell de Burgh who should have done something about this some time ago........! 2nd - Forthcoming events and RNPS AGM - see Events (RNPS Sponsored) March 06 13th - Welcome to Bernd Krey who joins us from the Cologne Domstadter Band as a Friend of the Society and as a drummer. Bernd played with us at the Band Festival and always takes care to look after us in Cologne. His application is supported by Bob Eves and we look forward to seeing him again in June. 9th - Welcome to Yvette Eves who joins us from the City of Bristol Band as a Friend of the Society and as a drummer. Wife of Bob Eves she has played with us on several occasions over the last two years and between the two of them made a splendid dash of Cornish tartan colour at Cologne this year. Her application was supported by Nathan Colbern and we look forward to seeing her (and Bob) at many more events. 6th - New link added - to Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band - P/M Tony Galliano welcomes any passing ship who needs a piper or has an RNPS piper piper on board who would like to play whilst in Gibraltar (tel 00350 72871). 3rd - new feature article on life member John Dixon February 06 23rd - 28th - Cologne - 15 members of the RNPS join up with the RN Volunteer Bands for the Cologne Carnival weekend. See feature article. 20th - Welcome to Robert Gladdis who joins us from the Isle of Wight as a Friend of the Society. He was taught by P/M Harry Galagher of the Scots Guards and played with the Rose and Thistle in the 70s before going solo and then re-joining the R&T two years ago. He has played with us at IFOS and is heartily supported in his application by both Paddy Grayell and Nathan Colbern as an excellent piper at advanced standard. 15th - Ian McLennan is producing the show "Celebrate the Tartan" at the Salisbury City Hall Sunday 9th April 7pm. He writes - Just to let you all know that the new show is written and tells the story of the Highlanders and emigration to North America – and their impact on that continent. Usual ingredients, Massed P&Ds (volunteers always welcome), West of England Champions Brass Band, Highland, Scottish & Irish Dance + First Lady of Highland Song Ishbel MacAskill. Tickets, if required £14. Should be a great night. Contact Ian on 01722 332233 for more information or if you are interested in becoming involved. January 06 25th - Stewart Bankier and Andy Firth with the support of local piper Iain MacPhee piped HMS Spartan out of Faslane on her departure for Devonport to de-commission - see "Galleries - RNPS members" for photograph 23rd - Welcome to 1 new member, Bob Eves, ex CPOAEA and bass drummer of the City of Bristol Band, and the return of 1 lapsed member, Peter Lindsay, ex L/CPL RM and drum major of the Surrey Band. 19th - Welcome back Dolly Gray ex POWEA(AD) and Volunteer Band drummer as well as pipe band drummer. Now working in Plymouth. 13th - Welcome to 5 more Friends of the Society - John Brodie, Stu Jessop, Dave Robinson, Ash Kinnard, and Roger Du Barry, all of whom are with the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band and have been strong supporters of the Society for some time. 7th - A previous member of the Society has surfaced - John Dixon, when as an Artificer Apprentice was a member of the Caledonia Pipe Band for their Beat Retreat at Edinburgh Castle in 1969. December 05 27th - test inclusion of video clips - see "events - RNPS Sponsored" 23rd - New email links added for Area Representatives - see "events" and "contact us" 14th - Ian Kempsell has taken over the role of SW Area rep from Alan MacKenzie who through pressure of work has had to relinquish the task - details on how to contact Ian see "contact us" or "events - SW Area". Alan will still be with us at RNAS Culdrose and playing with the Cornwall Caledonian Band for at least a year before returning to Canada so if you are nearby make the most of his expertise before he goes. He can be contacted through Ian or through the Cornwall Caledonian website - see "links". 12th - looking for 1 more piper and a bass drummer for Cologne - see events (RNPS Sponsored) for email link HMS Unicorn Pipe Band image 1953 added - see galleries (early years) The Wessex Highlanders are looking to form a big band for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday 17th March 2006 - see "events - Portsmouth Area" or use the link to their website. New link added to RAF Pipe Band Association November 05 New feature article on HMS Sanderling pipe band Update on the piping workshop organised in Faslane (see events - Scotland) October 05 New feature articles on Admiral Roddy Macdonald and HMS Implacable pipe band Return of a life member - James McMillan now 76 left the Navy in 1953 as a Leading Stoker Mechanic and RNPS life member. Found us on the web and made contact. He no longer plays but did make pipe major and president of a band and will keep in touch through the web. COLOGNE 2006 - see events - RNPS sponsored THE BEEK WEDDING - see feature articles NEW MEMBERS - David Leishman (Bristol) and John Walker (Fife) - see members list SOME IFOS PICTURES IN THE GALLERY - anyone able to write the feature article? BILL GASS IN EDINBURGH - see feature article Summer 05 - Message from the Secretary Well Done Everybody !!!! IFOS 05 was brilliant thanks to the support of so many people. Big thank you to all the Pipe Majors of the bands whose people turned up and supported us - Nathan, John, Andrew et al BZ (thats naval for well done) Many people were involved in the organisation for IFOS and special mention for Paddy too!! Lots of other events went on this summer so check out the events list and see what we have been up to - probably no need, you were all there. AGM and VOLUNTEER BAND FESTIVAL RNVBA Festival was also very well attended so again thanks to everyone who turned up on Saturday 30 July. AGM minutes here. HMS INVINCIBLE LAST FAREWELL ENTRY INTO PORTSMOUTH MONDAY 1 AUGUST I have just received a letter from Captain Neil Morrisetti thanking us very much for a great turnout on a Monday morning (and getting really wet). I know having talked to many onboard afterwards that everyone appreciated our performances. Photos in the gallery - any more?. click here to return to top of page |
