Joe Noble

Joe’s wife Lynn advises me that Joe’s funeral arrangements are as follows:


Wednesday 18th September at 14.30 in Clydebank Crematorium and afterwards at Kilmardinny House, Bearsden.


All welcome. No flowers please.


Donations, if desired, on the day to Pancreatic Cancer UK.

I’m sure there will be many a 214BB tie on display along with others from the Pipe Band Community.

Joe Noble

Joe at our informal event in March this year.

I am sorry to inform you that Joe Noble passed away on Saturday 31st August 2024 after a short illness at the age of 82.

Joe another 214 legend was so looking forward to our Centenary Civic Reception next month , I’m sure he’ll be there in spirit.

Robert Wallace another ‘214 boy’ has left a detailed history of Joe’s achievements on the Piping Press website. (Click here to read)

I will advise of funeral arrangements once known.

We send our deepest condolences to Lynn and all of the family at this sad time.

Hugh (Ally) McAllister Osborne

Sorry to advise that one of the 214 stalwarts…. Allister Osborne passed away on Tuesday 18th June 2024 at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

Ally at the 2019 Reunion

Ally (84) had been housebound over the last few years.

I had contact with him doing various jobs for him and he was always asking how the 214 boys were doing.

He served as Captain in the Company from 1965-1967.

Ally was always involved with the 214 as a young boy, Officer, (Band Officer), Captain and was a long serving Ex Member on the Association’s Committee.

He also was an Officer along with Willie Inglis with the Company Lifeboys.

Ally in his work life was a Head Teacher of Ruchill Primary School.

Youth Hosteling was also a big part of his life and he served as Glasgow Secretary of the Scottish Youth Hosteling Association.

Ardgarten 1963
Brack – Jan 1965

I’m sure we all remember Ally’s father Hugh who always played the piano at the Annual Inspections, with his Labrador by his side.

Ally was Rev Harry L. Thomson’s nephew. (His Mother was Harry’s sister in law)

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 2nd July – 1.30pm at Craigton Crematorium, Berryknowes Road, Cardonald, Glasgow.

As always I’m sure there will be many a 214BB tie on show for one of the Company’s loyal servants.

March 2024 – The informal get together

Details have been emailed out regarding our upcoming informal get together, on Friday 8th March 2024 at Tennents Brewery. (The Civic reception on 4th October is replacing this years reunion).

Ex Members should have received these today, unless you have changed your email address and have forgotten to update us with the new details.

If anyone has not received an email can they please email the secretary or use the website contact form.

Please pass on the details to anyone who you know does not have access to email or website.

Secretary’s update

Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I have been rather busy.

Here are some things that I think will be of interest to you all.

50 years ago

I received this from Ally Hunter last week, a cutting from the Glasgow Herald.

I’m sure this brings back great memories of the 214’s big 50th Anniversary night back in 1974.

Centenary year 2024

March 8th 2024 (not the reunion)

We will be letting you know soon about an upcoming informal get together evening at the Tennent Caledonia Brewery in Glasgow.

October 4th 2024 (Civic Reception/ Reunion)

With only 8 months to go, plans are underway for our evening of celebration.

Formal invites to ex members for this event will be sent 6/7 weeks prior to the evening.

214 Bagpipes

We currently have 2 full sets of pipes and one half set of pipes being assessed and refurbished.

Our thanks go to Kenny MacLeod & Stuart McCallum at McCallum Bagpipes for their support in this project.

Once ready we hope to lend these pipes to BB Companies for teaching purposes.

Currently there is another half set out on loan to Renfrew North Parish Church.

One of two half sets that we own which were made by Alex Ibell.

We have other projects we are working on to continue the 214 name.

Things you come across

Shotts Highland Games winners

Alex Robertson -Art Exhibition

I received an email from Alex….

“I’ve got an exhibition of my poster prints at the new gallery 174 Dorchester Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow.

It is running from Friday 8th Dec 5-8pm till Saturday 9th Dec 12-5pm and thereafter till the end of the year.

These prints are scenes of Glasgow with a particular and unique perspective.

I think they could be of interest to the members. I’ll attach an example.

Alex Robertson.”

I‘m sure if any ex-members are available it would be worth a trip along for a look.

Well done Alex.

Eddie Thomson

Sorry to report that Eddie Thomson (77) has passed away on Tuesday the 21st November 2023.

Eddie was the 214 Bass drummer during the late 50’s early 60’s.

Eddie standing behind the Bass drum in 1962 (from website pic 155c)

Eddie was well known in Bowling circles.

A member at Victoria Park Bowling Club he was club champion in 1981, 1983, 1992 & 1995.

Eddie Thomson

The funeral is to be held at Clydebank Crematorium (Dalnottar) on Wednesday 6th December at 2.30pm.

Eddie on the right with tenor drum (pic 107)

We all send our condolences to Eddie’s family at this sad time.