PICTURES: Wick open day lets public see what’s involved in running pipe band
A well-attended open day at the weekend helped to raise the profile of Wick RBLS Pipe Band.
Saturday’s event at the Pipe Band Hall in High Street allowed members of the public to see how bagpipes and drums are assembled, and to try some of the instruments for themselves.
Band photos and memorabilia were on display and there was an opportunity to dress a mannequin in pipe band uniform.
Band secretary Helen Hill said: “We thought it was well worth doing.
“There was a lot of interest in taking up both pipes and drums, from all ages. We had people from a wee bairn of about three having a shot on the drums to a retired teacher who had always wanted to try the drums, and so she did.
“We have strong connections with bands in Switzerland and Germany and we have gifts that they had given us over the years that had just been set in cabinets, or in windowsills, and we thought it’s a shame because it’s interesting stuff. So we had it all set out and we had old pictures from other outings that we’ve had, and massed pipe bands, and other trips that they’d done to Norway and Portugal.
“It was well attended and it raised the profile of the band. People could see they don’t just turn up and play a tune – there’s a lot more to running a pipe band than doing that.
“We were very happy with it.”
Mrs Hill added: “There was an afternoon tea in St Fergus Church but we didn’t affect them and we kind of fed off one another – some people were going to both. It was good that High Street was busy.”
Wick Pipe Band was formed in 1919. Its centenary celebrations five years ago included a massed pipe band event featuring musicians from Thurso, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Switzerland and Germany.
