2013 Issue 1
S&NI Newsletter Newsletter Date Mar 2013 In this Issue: 1. Rolls Royce Dining In Night 2. Isle of Bute Hike 3. BTEC success for Bathgate 5. IACE to Canada 6. Rotary Youth Leader Award 7. Bathgate Burns Supper 8. Presentation of Parchment 9. Olympic Torchbearer Story
Exciting Comic Relief Project in the Pipeline
Regional Pipe Band Achieves National Status I t is hardly surprising that Scotland and Northern Ireland should have a Pipe Band as their regional band. What is surprising is that the band draws members from four of the six Air Training Corps Regions. The band, which regularly performs at National events within Scotland and, along with pipers from the other cadet forces, often takes part in key events, and last year performed as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden Party at Balmoral. The Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Pipe Band is, therefore, a National band in all but name – until the 1st of January 2013 when they officially became a National band: The Pipes and Drums of the Air Cadet Organisation.
Wing Commander Colin McCrae, the Band’s chairman, was delighted with e are delighted to announce that the Air the news: Cadets have been invited to join an exciting Comic Relief project involving Blue He said: “This is welcome recognition Peter’s Helen Skelton and the Royal Air for a group of exceptionally talented Force’s Red Arrows. young musicians and the adult staff who have supported the development Although the project is still in the early of Highland Piping and Drumming in planning stages please stand-by for an the Corps. It also recognises the exciting announcement in the New Year. tremendous support and encouragement we have received from In the meantime start thinking of exciting and Scotland & Northern Ireland Region, novel ways to raise money for Comic Relief HQ Air Cadets, the RFCAs in Scotland which you can submit after January’s and not least from our colleagues in announcement. ACF Piping and Drumming.”
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You never know, you and your squadron may “This is excellent news for not only the be included in the Comic Relief celebrations current pipers and drummers but also on TV!! for the staff and supporters across the Corps who over the years have encouraged, nurtured, borrowed, begged and cajoled to get to where we are today,” agreed Gp Capt Jim Leggat, Regional Commandant for Scotland & Northern Ireland. “In my short time in post, I have witnessed the pipes and drums performing at Balmoral Castle for the Watch the website for further details as soon Queen and at the Cadet National Pipes as they become available. and Drums Competition. On these and other occasions, they have clearly
demonstrated they are force to be reckoned with. They already have contributors and supporters from most of the ACO Regions and I am certain the granting of National Band status will further enhance the standing of the band and assist in bringing further performers and supporters from across the Corps.” Principal Director of Music for the Air Cadets, Wg Cdr Gil Singleton, also welcomed the decision. He commented: “I am delighted that this unique area of National and Military Music has been added to the ACO’s portfolio of musical excellence.” Scotland, although part of the United Kingdom, has its own traditions – including its music. This is an element of diversity that has been accepted on both sides of the border since the Acts of Union of 1706 and 1707. Even before the Acts of Union there were pipe bands in the British Army – the Royal Scots have records referring to pipers dating back to the early seventeenth century – and there are examples of pipers leading troops into action in the 20th Century – for instance at El Alamein, Dieppe and on the Normandy beaches. This military tradition is not limited to the Army; RAF Apprentices used to march to work behind the RAF Halton Pipe Band - and there are still Voluntary Pipe Bands in the RAF today – including two outside Scotland: at RAF Waddington and RAF Halton. (Continued on page 2)