This is a test post to see if the auto emails are activated properly.
PLEASE NOTE THERE HAVE BEEN POSTS PUT ON THE WEBSITE SINCE MARCH WHICH YOU MAY NOT HAVE HAD AN AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION VIA EMAIL.
Technical Fault
Author Archives: Alan (Secretary)
Alex Connell
It is with great sadness and shock to learn that one of our Ex Members Alex Connell passed away this morning at the age of 85.
Alex seen here at the 2017 Reunion with Donald MacKenzie and Kerr McQuillan, who played Alex’ drum score for the Angus Lawrie pipe tune DM George Seymour.
I’m sure all our Ex Members send their condolences to his wife Molly and daughter Heather.
I will intimate the funeral details once arranged and known.
Alex and Ian McLellan were the architects of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Bands success.
Click here to see the George Seymour article which Alex is mentioned in and their is a link to the video of the tune being played at the 2017 reunion. Click here and scroll to Video Clip 5 under the Media section.
Website posting problems hopefully fixed!
You may not be aware that I have posted photos from the reunion previously on the 3rd of March.
The automated notification emails were not working.
I am hoping this is now fixed?
(Second time lucky.)
Click here to view the reunion pictures.
(You should hopefully have received an email for this post.)
214 Ex Member elected as President of the Piobaireachd Society
Ex- members may be interested to know of the recent success of one of our number Robert Wallace. Robert (wee Boab to Alex Ibell) has just been elected President of the Piobaireachd Society one of the most prestigious positions in world piping.
The appointment was made by acclamation at the Society’s AGM held in Glasgow last month. In his recommendation to the meeting retiring President Dr Jack Taylor issued a warm endorsement of Robert’s candidacy stating: ‘I have no hesitation in recommending Robert, your Vice President for the last 12 years, as my successor. He has been a great support to me during that time. Though we have had our differences we have always put the Society first in all our dealings. No one knows more about piobaireachdthan Robert; no one knows more about the Piobaireachd Society than Robert.’
After his appointment Robert said: ‘I am honoured to follow a long line of distinguished Presidents of the Society and will do my best to continue Jack’s good work for the Society and for piobaireachd music.’
The Piobaireachd Society was founded in 1903 with the aim of preserving and promoting the classical music of the bagpipe. Its Patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
Robert began his piping in 1960 when, aged nine, he went to Alex Ibell’s house in Whiteinch for his first lessons. He then graduated to the full 214 band winning the World Juvenile title in his first contest in 1964 at Dam Park, Ayr. Robert went on to play with the Muirhead & Sons band and started piobaireachd tuition there with the pipe major, RG Hardie. Robert’s solo awards include winning Gold Medals at both Oban and Inverness plus many other esteemed piping trophies and medals.
(Robert with retiring President Dr Jack Taylor)
We wish Robert every success in his office as President and are sure he will provide to be a ‘Stedfast’ appointment.
(Not bad for a wee boy from Whiteinch!)
2019 Reunion post problem.
Please note that the 2019 Reunion post I put up on Sunday didn’t notify everyone automatically as it should.
This is now hopefully fixed.
Please see the post in the News page on the website by clicking here.
Regards
Alan
2019 Reunion
Another great evening of renewing friendships, reliving our youth was had on Friday 1st of March in Whiteinch.
This was the 69th Annual Reunion of the Ex Members Association.
The attendees numbered in the mid forties, enjoyed an evening of laughter and chat.
Alistair Hunter entertained the assembled, with great stories of his professional goalkeeping career with Kilmarnock, Celtic, Motherwell and Scotland.
It was great to see Ex Members travelling from places as far afield as Manchester, Sittingbourne, Bury, Carlisle, Inverness & Oban to name a few.
Here’s looking forward to the 70th next year.
Sure and Stedfast
(as we used to spell it!)
69th Annual Reunion 2019
As I’m sure you are all aware, all invites have been emailed and posted so you should have yours?
Thank you to all who have kindly replied.
There are still a number of regulars who have not replied yet.
If you have not replied could you please do so by Thursday 21st as requested.
This will allow us to confirm with the caterer more accurate numbers.
Many Thanks
Alan
John ‘Jockie’ MacLennan – Funeral arrangements
I have been informed of John’s funeral details:-
Monday 18th February 2019 – 2.30pm at Clydebank Dalnottar Crematorium.
Click here for directions.
I’m sure there will be a large turnout and 214 ties should be worn.
John MacLennan
Sorry to inform you that I have received news that John MacLennan passed away yesterday evening 7th February 2019.
John or “Jocky” as he was known, was a well kent face among the pipe band world and had attended a few of the reunions in recent years.
I’m sure you will join me in sending our condolences to his wife Liz and all of the MacLennan family.
The MacLennan boys.
(Gus, John, Finlay and Donald Ian.)
I will intimate the funeral details once they are known.
John McKinlay
I received an email from John McKinlay’s niece Irene, thanking us for the Christmas card.
Unfortunately she advises that John passed away on the 16th August.
John was ages with my dad so would be about 91/92 years old.
I believe John was an officer (if not a Captain) of the 108 after his service in the 214.
You may remember that his brother Hugh passed away in April, so it’s been a sad year for the whole family.
We send on our condolences at this festive time.