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00.01am January 1st 2000
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The band play 'right after the bells' at the Strathaven Millennium Party held
in the George Allen Park (Strathaven
Park). The party was in
the drained duck pond and thousands of people had gathered to celebrate the
start of a new millennium. As the bells stopped PM Iain Tennant marched the
band into the front of the crowd where there appeared to be a space the band
could play in. As the band arrived the reason for the space became clear as
they marched right into a puddle inches deep. Undeterred the band played on
and received thunderous applause when they finished. Somehow, with all the
celebrations (and the whisky) nobody noticed their wet feet.
2001
Band take up an offer to play at the Schots Weekend piping festival in
Alden Biesen. Over twenty bands from around europe
competed in the picturesque setting of Alden Biesen castle. A Celtic flavour
concert in a huge marquee caps the competition day.
 The band line up for the march past at the Alden Biesen
festival. Front Row L-r PM Ian Tennent, David Moorcroft, Steve Kerr, John
Cox. 2nd Row L-R David Miller, Alan Cruickshank, Chris MacKenzie. 3rd row L-R
Norman Mort, Alasdair Dean , Stewart Graham. 4th row Willie Goldie, Ronnie,
5th Row Mary Smith, Janice, 6th row Alan Smith.
For more pictures from Alden Biesen click Here
2003
Peter Halliday who has been selflessly giving up his time
to teach the learners at the band for many years, has two of his compositions
included in the new book of tunes by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The tunes include his excellent 4/4 Pipe Major Ian Tennant, composed for our
current Pipe Major and played regularly by the band.
2005
The band start the year playing at the wedding of long
time band member Norman Mort and his finance Ennis. The reception took place
at the Strathaven Hotel and the band for the night was, pipeband ceilidh
regulars, Millreel. Needless to say it was a marvelous night.
A new gig this year as the band plays at the Quarter Gala Day. The march went
well and all was set for a lovely afternoon in the main field until the rain
came down with a vehemence not seen since biblical times. There was nothing
for it but to head for the pub. Hopefully next year will be a little drier.
Some of the pipers from the band (Ian Tennent, Stewart Graham,Aly Menzies,
Izzy, Chris MacKenzie, Ross, John Cox, Norman Mort, Davie Muircroft) take
part in the Pipefest march in Edinburgh.
Linking up with thousands of other pipers and drummers from all parts of the
world was a fabulous experience and one none of those that went will ever
forget. Izzy as more reason than most to remember it as it was her first
outing with the band. To view some pictures of the trip click Here
The highlight of the year has undoubtedly been the trip to Tiree. The band
originally set out for three days in the lovely hebridian isle of Tiree
however due to bad weather on the Monday the trip lasted five. To read more
on the trip click Here
The band ceilidh took place in the Strathaven Hotel (the first event in its
newly refurbished hall) in November and was by common agreement a fantastic
night. The band were (as is now almost a tradition) Millreel who were in
excellent form. There was even a rendition of the Tiree Rover by Steve, Aly
and Chris to revive memories of Tiree.
To round of the year the band play at the switching on of the Stonehouse
Christmas lights.
2006
A number of the band take up the offer to play as part of
the massed band at Murrayfield for the Scotland rugby team home
internationals against France and England. Despite it being bitterly cold for
both games and it being a long day for the band members as they have to
arrive well ahead of the fans for rehearsals, those participating had a fabulous
time. The occasion was even more memorable as Scotland won both games. After
the England
game some of the pipers (Chris, Steve, Ali, Davie M) marched back down
Corstorphine road and up to the Grassmarket where they met up with those that
had come through to watch the game. As always there was a great atmosphere in
the Grassmarket and the pipers were in great demand to play.
The band play the Quarter gala day and this year the rain stays away.
For the Strathaven Gala day this year the Tiree Pipe Band have accepted our
invitation to attend. The band takes part in the parade which is a big kick
for them as they don't get the chance to participate in parades in Tiree. A
ceilidh was held in the Ballgreen hall on the Saturday evening with both the
Tiree and Strathaven bands in attendance. To read more on the gala week end
click here. To view pictures of the weekend click here Here
Everyone in Strathaven is saddened with the death of Adam Law. Adam, commonly
known as Mr Strathaven, was a keen supporter of the band. For many years he
was the owner of the SpringVale Hotel in Strathaven and every Gala day the
band would play Auld Adam as it passed the Hotel much to Adam's delight. The
band attend his funeral. The biggest funeral the town has seen in living
memory and as Adam's coffin is taken out of the church the band play Auld
Adam in tribute.
Once again the band takes up the Tiree band's invitation to the beautiful
isle. This time the weather in contrast to last year the weather is great.
The downside of that is the band only get to stay for the planned three days!
To read more on the trip click Here
The band ceilidh took place in the Strathaven Hotel in November and was as
usual a terrific night. The band was Millreel who were in excellent form.
Late in the year everyone in the band is saddened to hear of the death of
former band member Norman Allen. Norman
played with the band for a number of years as well as being PM of the Cambuslang
PB. The band is also saddened to hear of the death of Thomas Stern a well
known person within Strathaven and someone who always appreciated hearing the
band play. He also loved, and always attended, the annual PB ceilidh.
The last gig of the year is usually the switching on of the Stonehouse
Christmas lights however due to the vile weather the event is cancelled.
2007
After a stint of around fifteen years Iain Tennent decides to step down as
Pipe Major of the band. As he is retiring from employment later in the year
Iain wants to have a little more time to devote to interests other than the
band (could that be golf !!). Iain formally steps down at the AGM in February
and Chris Mackenzie is given the onerous task of trying to live up to the
high standards set by Iain. The AGM also sees some changes on the committee
Carol Crawford takes over as Secretary and Peter Smith takes on the Social
Secretary role.
Iain’s contribution to the band over the last twenty six years (he
joined in 1981) has been immense and in order to recognise this Stewart
Graham presents a look over Iain’s life at a band practice and Iain is
presented with a large framed picture of the band and a wooden McCallum
presentation practice chanter with a silver shield inscribed with - Iain
Tennent, Strathaven and District Pipe Band, Foxtrot Oscar. Foxtrot Oscar is
of course Iain’s catch phrase and one we have all heard many times over
the years.
As the playing calendar for the year is being collated there is some bad
news as the galas in both Chapleton and Quarter are cancelled due to problems
raising committees. It is a shame that while everyone enjoys the gala’s
very few people are prepared to commit to helping organize them.
The cancellation of Chapleton means that the bands first outing of the
season is at the Strathaven gala. The Tiree pipe band have come down to the
gala again this year and are again based in the Shawlands Hotel. After a
relatively quiet night on the Friday night the Tiree band met the Strathaven
band in Strathaven on the Saturday
morning and the two bands play for around half an hour prior in the Common
Green (in front of the bank of Scotland). This goes down well and a sizeable
crowd forms to listen. After that it is on with the parade and as the sun
shines it is another fabulous gala. The bands repair to the Bucks Head for
some lunch and some much needed re-hydration.
Later that night there is a ceilidh in the Ballgreen hall with
Millreel doing the honours (helped out of course by the Tiree band who it
often appears can all play the box).
Despite losing the two early gigs the band have a very full calendar.
Along with the regular Ferneigair, East Kilbride,
and Strathaven Agricultural Shows the band also play at the Whitburn gala.
This is a large Gala day (even bigger than Strathaven’s) and with a
parade route that takes around an hour it is ‘guid blaw’ and both
pipers and drummers are flagging a little at the parade end. Another first
for the band is playing at the Newmiln’s gala. The gala committee who
were looking for a band, at very short notice (ie two days before), got in
touch and despite the short notice we managed to field a band (albeit a
slightly smaller one than usual – six pipers one tenor and two snares). The band also play at the Strathaven
Striders 10K race in November and at a Santa dash (5K) in Greenock
in December.
For many of the band members the standout gig of the year was playing at
the wedding of Canadian couple Les Hutchison (who is originally from
Uddingston) and Virginia Shaw at Stirling
Castle. The band
arrived at the Castle about half past four and started to tune up on the
esplanade. Within seconds a large crowd of tourists had gathered round as the
band tuned up and ran through some sets. After the castle was closed to
visitors at five the guests arrived in buses. The band formed up in front of
the main gate facing down the esplanade and looking directly at the wedding
guests. On the command from the PM the band struck up, countered marched and
began marching through to the main gate and up to the main quadrangle with
the guests following on behind. Once in the quadrangle the band played for
about twenty minutes until the bride and groom arrived. That just left one
last thing to do as agreed with the wedding organizer John Blue. Once all the
guests had gone into the main hall the Pipe Major piped in the top table. As
everyone stood to see David Miller pipe in the Bride and Groom the PM opened
a door at the back of the hall and let the band in. David was playing
Highland Cathedral and as he started the second part the whole band kicked in
to the astonishment (and delight) of those in the hall as they hadn’t
noticed the band coming in. It was said afterwards that there wasn’t
‘a dry eye in the house’.
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