Page 34 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

32 EAGLE AND CARBINE
was approaching. It was August, months of preparation, practice and effort from everyone was paying off. The World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green would be the last time Pipe Major Duncan would lead the Pipes and Drums out as he was leaving the regiment after 15 years. The drive, energy and vision the man had for his Band was second to none and he had moulded and shaped us to get us ready and to arrive at this point. The World Pipe Band Championships, the largest and most well-known competition going: a wider field of competing bands to go up against in our grade. The atmosphere was tense, it was go hard or go home. We’d like to thank all the serving and association members of the regiment for coming out to support us and on that day in particular we were so happy to have done you all proud in becoming the Grade 3B World Champions of 2022 and for our previous success and places, the Champions of Champions for the 2022 season too! Congratulations to all the Band for the season’s performance and delivery but of course to Pipe Major Ben Duncan and Drum Major ‘Pinball’ Prescott who brought out the best in everyone and deserve the achievement. There’s a saying that where there is pleasure, there is pain. Post competition season success and happiness was soon eclipsed with the sad news that Her Majesty The Queen had passed away. The Band was already heavily involved in either helping the regiment with facili- tating or in conducting pre deployment training for the second rotation of the commitment to Op NEWCOMBE in Mali when the news came through. After a very quick turnaround and under our new Pipe Major Adonis Maximus-Badass the band reassembled, dug out the full dress and took part in the rehearsals as part of the Massed Pipes and Drums for the funeral procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey and for the final procession to Windsor and St
World Champions Grade 3B
The pipes and drums alongside the band of the Scots Guardsfor the sovereigns parade at RMAS.
George’s Chapel for the committal. It was a huge privilege and honour for us all to represent the regiment on parade at the State Funeral and to say goodbye to our late Colonel-in-Chief in this very special way. Following the funeral, the Pipes and Drums also said goodbye to Drum Major ‘Pinball’ Prescott after 7 years in the chair and leading the band out for the biggest piece of State ceremonial we had done for 20 years. Best wishes in your new role within the regiment. So, to summarise, 2022 has been a very busy and varied year for the Pipes and Drums. While much of what we do isn’t seen by the rest of the regiment on a daily basis, we’ve certainly reminded them and shown them that they have a Pipes and Drums to be rightly proud of and our contribution towards the regiment’s public image is Second To None! We’re very proud of all we have achieved this year and moving forward we hope to build on our success and reputation further. Bring it on 2023 and God Save the King!