Page 97 - RSDG Year of 2023

EAGLE AND CARBINE 95
MUSICIANS BRANCH
Lt Col N Brotherton MBE
Although it’s a huge geographical challenge in order to get our members together in one place, the Branch has managed to meet up at various satellite events throughout the year.
Firstly, we owe the North East Branch a big thank you as they have allowed us to join them for their Annual Dinner that was held in March. Hopefully, this will become an Annual Event thus providing us an opportunity to continue to meet in England on an annual basis.
It was good to see so many of the Regimental Band and Pipes & Drums family at the dinner. After many years, Andy Fields, Mark Fenson, Gary Stitt, Jimmy Hogarth, Peter Aitkin, Jock Alan, Bert Tomkins, Campbell Baxter just to name a few, as well as our secretary, Charlie all attended this combined dinner in Doncaster.
The night ended up into the early hours of the morning (no change there!) reminiscing about old times and the many tours the bands used to go on in the good ‘old days’. It was a very successful evening, and it gave the opportunity to link old friends back together again. Hoping we can have a similar turn out for thee 2024 Dinner.
A year in the making, and on 1 April 2023, ex and serving members of the Pipes and Drums headed to Edinburgh. This was another great opportunity to see members gather from the Amazing Grace Days right the way up to the present day. Both Peter Little and Jimmy Carr made the journey along with many other familiar faces – and true to tradition, there was a few drinks and ‘craic’ to be had!
The 2023 Pipe Band competitions provided the platform for our members to meet up at various games throughout the year. North Berwick seems to be a popular choice – David Gilfillan was across from Australia and John Bruce from Spain, both looking well. They met up with several of the ‘old boys’ and by the social media posts, spirits seemed to be high.
Equally, the World Pipe Band Championships provided the usual gathering place at the ‘Beer Tent’. Although, a soggy day, it did not stop the high morale of storytelling, although we did miss the wider Regimental family this year.
As we move forward, we hope these events will inspire our wider members of the musician’s family to come along, take part and enjoy old times. And at some point, we do intend on holding a Musicians Branch Dinner; further details will be passed out once known.
Jock Alan and Jimmy Hogarth at the National Arboretumn Remembrance Sunday
The Musicians Branch at the North East Dinner
As always, our members have been out and about playing across the country with various musical organisations throughout the year. Peter Aitkin is very active and busy performing in the West Midlands. In November, he played the Last Post for the Gurkha Association Remembrance Service at the National Arboretum. Equally, Mick Chandler is serving on an FTRS contract with the Royal Regiment of Scotland Band and is still doing some travelling! Ben Duncan is now playing with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band alongside his solo piping competing career. Gary Riley is with Fife - Police Scotland Pipe Band. Derek Potter in his capacity as a piping teacher in Dundee, had the opportunity to travel to Germany with his team – the list just goes on and on.
It’s incredible to see how many of our members are active within the communities they have now settled in. Our music, skills and expertise continue to thrive and it’s great to see and know that we continue to fly the flag in one way or another through music!