Grampian Police Pipe Band held a reunion of past players and members at the weekend at the Norwood Hotel Aberdeen, on Saturday 17th November 2007, as part of a series of events they have undertaken throughout the year to mark their centenary.
The Band was formed in October 1907 when a small group of police officers from the then Aberdeen City force pooled their wages to fund it.
More than 120 ex-members and players and their guests attended the occasion from all over Scotland and further a field. Some travelled from abroad to attend the celebrations. Local bands and other police pipe bands were also represented at the evening when speeches were given by the current band manager, Chief Inspector Malcolm McMillan, and former band managers, Mr. Iain McCombie and Mr. Doug Duthie.
Chief Inspector McMillan, said: "We wanted to celebrate with those who had helped us achieve this historic occasion. We were unable to contact everyone, but we received a fantastic response from those we were able to speak to and I know everyone who attended had a great night." |
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One of the oldest former members, Mr. Alex McCombie (snr) who played in the band during the late 1940's and throughout the 1950's, cut a cake to mark the occasion. He said, "The uniforms, equipment and faces have all changed but the enjoyment and comradeship have clearly continued throughout the years."
During the evening the band performed a new set of tunes. One, Angel from the Ashes, was written by Skye musician Blair Douglas, a founding member of Runrig, who wrote it in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York City in 2001.
Pipe Major Drew Sinclair said:"We wanted to dedicate the performance to our friends and colleagues from the band who are sadly no longer with us and take time to remember and honour them as we celebrate this milestone in our history."
He concluded, "It was great catching up with everyone and learning what everybody has been doing since they moved on. I think it was a fitting tribute to a successful Band which has been at the centre of the local pipe band world for so many years.”
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Photo, from left to right, Drew Sinclair, Pipe Major, Alex McCombie, ex member, and Nicky Gibson, lead drummer. )
ENDS
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