Sorry to intimate that Carl McGregor passed away on Sunday 14th August 2016.
Carl who lived in Scotstounhill, was a great attender of the reunions and younger brother of Kerr. He lost his wife about three years ago and I think was struggling health wise since.
Carl was a couple of years younger than my father so would be in his mid to late eighties.
One of his pals at the 214 was Jimmy Courtney.
I will announce funeral details once known.
(Along with more details of his 214 life if anyone can forward to me?)
The 214th GCBB may have technically ceased in 1994, but the 214 name continues to impact on the piping world in various guises.
Having provided a first class tuition to boys over the years, not only has the 214 produced players, who have gone on to play at the top level with an enormous amount of Pipe Bands, but also Solo players, Judges & Instructors.
Today the 214 can announce it is continuing to “put something back” at grass roots level.
We have been privileged enough to be able to provide two new trophies for the newly formed RSPBA –Novice Juvenile B grade.
The first one is the Band trophy for 1st place at the British Championships, which is being held this Saturday 21st May 2016 at Paisley.
Click here to read about the new British Championship
The second trophy is for 1st place in Drumming at The UK Championships which is being held on Saturday 11th June 2016 in Belfast.
I look forward to showing you the winners in due course.
Joe Noble one of our Ex Members who as an RSPBA judge was recently over judging the New Zealand National Championships.
Joe sent me a couple of emails, (which I have made into a News item) and I would like to share with you all.
“Hi, Alan
The New Zealand Championship ran over two days (11th and 12th March 2016). These were held in Feilding, which is outside Palmerston North in the southern part of the North Island. (Click here to read about Feilding)
Part of the contest involves a Street March with all the bands participating, and all the judges standing at regular intervals along the parade route. Thankfully, I was judging their playing and not their marching. A winner is chosen from each of the Grades.
(Joe doing his stuff.)
As for the main Contest itself, the winner of Grade One was Canterbury Caledonian Society – their fifth win in a row since 2012. Followed by New Zealand Police and Manawatu.
They all performed to a high standard and I was particularly pleased to again see that New Zealand has a vibrant Juvenile grade, which was won by St Andrews College Christchurch. I was judging Ensemble on both days.
(This was also Canterbury’s 5th consecutive drumming title – winning the Alex Duthart Trophy. I have attached the winning performances below)
Medley
MSR
While there I met up with Bobby Turner in Auckland and Stewart Gorle in Tauranga.
As you can see from the photos they are both reasonably fit and well.
Stewart gave me an old photo which you may already have but, if not, I’ve scanned it and attached it here.
Photo (712)
This would have been the 214BB drum corps circa 1954/55 and, from left to right, the members are:
Ronnie Kinloch, Robin Hunter, Andy Hosie, George Seymour, George Robertson & Stewart Gorle
I don’t know where this was taken or what the trophy is, perhaps someone will be able to fill in the gaps?
Best wishes,
Joe”
Thanks for that Joe, good to see that 214 skills are still being put to the test.
(I would like to thank yourself, Stewart Gorle & the others who were at this years reunion who kindly made donations to our funds.)
