Brian May

I am sorry to inform you that Brian May (67), another one of our ex members unexpectedly passed away on Friday 11th September 2015 at Scarborough hospital.

Brian lived in Middlesbrough.

I’m sure you all join me in passing on our condolences to his wife Margaret and the family.

Brian May Band Brian in the 1964 band.

His brother Lachlan has forwarded me some more recent pictures.

Brian May Brian & Margaret May

The funeral details will be added to this post in due course.

New Audio files added and Media section changes

The Media section has been split into two categories Audio & Video.

These can now be accessed from the sub menu above under Media.

We have managed to edit the recordings we had of BBC interviews of Alex and the 214 band.

These are now available in the Audio section

We have added Audio files 5,6,7 &8.

The recordings really show how drumming styles and sound have moved on since the 60’s.

The great musical teachings we all received in the 214 is abundantly clear.

It is no wonder the 214 went on to produce some of the finest pipers and drummers the “Pipe World” has seen.

 

 

Joe Noble & Andy Hosie

Joe Noble has emailed me the following which I am sure will be of interest.

Hi Alan

You might wish to include this in the website. It’s a picture of Andy Hosie and myself, taken on 1st August at the celebrations for his and Mary’s 50th wedding anniversary. I had been Andy’s Best Man all those years ago.

For those who don’t know, Andy was a leading drummer of the 214BB band and went on to become leading drummer of the Renfrew Pipe Band, the drum corps of which he led to the British and World Grade 1 Drum Corps championships. I was very happy to be his Flank Drummer in both the 214BB and Renfrew bands.

Joe Noble & Andy Hosie 2015

click on picture to see a larger version

(Alan – I’ve again given Andy all of the contact details for the ex-members group and hopefully this time he’ll join us).

Regards,

Joe

Thanks Joe and I’m sure if Andy can contact us with his current email address we can invite him along to the reunions and send him a Christmas card.

214 catch up – Scottish Championships 2015 – Dumbarton

A lot of our more active Ex Members were saying at the reunion in April that it would be great to meet up on the 25th July 2015, at the Scottish Championships, Levengrove Park, Dumbarton.

There has been a lot of interest shown, I look forward to seeing you there for a listen, a shandy or two at the beer tent and a good old chat.

Entry to the championships is FREE.

The nearest train station to the park is at Dalreoch. (a short 10 minute walk away).

Watch this space for more news nearer the time.

RSPBA Pipe Band Magazine

The recent editions of the Pipe Band Magazine (April and July 2015) have 214 content in them (Alex MacIver, Dougie Elmslie and various pictures of other 214 ex members).

RSPBA apr15 mag pic

Click the above picture to go to the RSPBA’s Magazine page where you can download these free of charge.

Harry Blackhall – Glasgow Herald Announcement

 

Henry Eddie Blackhall Deaths

Published Friday 26 June 2015

BLACKHALL — HENRY EDDIE. Peacefully, on Sunday, 21st June, 2015, at Dundonald Nursing Home, with his family by his side. Aged 98 years, an ex-Inspector in the Glasgow Police Force, BB Captain and much loved father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather. Funeral service at Masonhill Crematorium, by Ayr, on Thursday, 2nd July at 1.15pm. No flowers please.

Link to Glasgow Herald notice

 

Harry Blackhall

Sorry to inform you all that Harry Blackhall passed away on Sunday 21st June 2015.

His funeral will be held next Thursday 2nd July 2015, Ayr Crematorium at 1.15pm details will appear in the Glasgow Herald.

Harry was the oldest surviving Captain of the 214th GCBB seen here at the 2009  reunion with the other 214 Captains who attended that evening.

(162) Captains 2  reunion March 2009

(Gordon MacIntyre, Lachlan May, Harry Blackhall, Stuart Hunter & Allister Osbourne)

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