Pipe Band calls for new members

The North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Pipe Band is asking for new members for their band.

The Band was formed in 2000 and is a voluntary group of like-minded musicians who get together to pursue their love of the Great Highland Bagpipe and associated instruments (the drum corps). It prides itself in performing to a high standard at numerous events throughout the year.

The band’s primary aim is to provide as much enjoyment for those that experience our performances as it does for the band members.

Tenor Drummer, Sue Brunton said:

All of us enjoy the fun, dedication and camaraderie of being in a band. We are a friendly group of Musicians who meet at Thirsk Fire Station on a Tuesday evening from 6.30pm-9pm.

If you want to learn the Pipes or Drums or are already a player please just come along.

You don’t have to be in the fire service to join, all are welcome.

We take all comers as far as ability is concerned. We have two new people learning the bagpipes at the moment. They won’t “play out” until they can master at least a couple of tunes.

I am myself a drummer and only joined a couple of years ago but was allowed to play out pretty much straight away because as any piper will tell you – drumming is easy!

We also have a mixed age group, our youngest piper is 16 and the youngest drummer is 14. Some of us are considerably older than them. We also come from all walks of life, teachers, optician, logistics, NHS, armed services, security. The gender split is interesting as we have two lady pipers and two lady drummers, so it appeals to all.

The band, whilst operating under the fire service banner has to be completely self-funding.

Each year they attend a number of paid events.

Sue added:

We achieve this by attending a number of paid venues.

We play at the Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade each year. The Spring and Autumn Harrogate Flower Shows. We play at the NYFRS bonfire in York most years and also at their fund raising event in Harrogate at Christmas time.

Scarborough Armed Forces day is a regular event for us as is Bilton Gala. 2017 will see a new event for us as we will be playing at the St George’s Day Parade in Ripon. We also play band stands and market squares as and when requested as well as “playing out” on Tuesday evenings when not practising at Thirsk.

I haven’t listed all the things we have played at over the years but this should give you an idea of what we do.

The band is a member of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

We have an open door policy so if you would like to join the band or learn to play one of our instruments pop along and see how it goes.

Band numbers fluctuate, and they need more pipers to bolster the numbers. At the moment they have seven pipers plus 2 learners and six drummers.

If you fancy a chat to find out more ring Sue on 01765 603958