Rothbury Highland Pipe Band

When we moved to Rothbury, everyone said:
''Oh, you MUST see the Highland Pipe Band on New Year's Day!'
I thought there must be some mistake. Surely it would be the Northumbrian, not, Highland, Pipes, played here? How wrong I was. Let me tell you why!
In 2020, the Band's Centenary, I decided to find out all about the Band. I spoke with many Band members and friends, and wrote three articles which were first published in the Northumberland Gazette.

PLEASE NOTE - this seems like a really long article - that is because it is! And that is because the Band has a long, very interesting, history.
I have presented it here in three sections:
1. The History of the Pipe Band
2. Women in the Band
3. The World Tour of Coquetdale

Let me tell you a little bit about how a Highland Pipe Band was formed in rural Northumberland.

On June 21st, 1920, the Rothbury Kilted Pipe Band was formed. Soldiers from the Seaforth Highlanders regiment had been stationed in Coquetdale during the war; deep friendships had grown between the Scottish and local soldiers. The tartan chosen for the kilts was easily decided; The Mackenzie, as this was worn by the Scottish regiment.

Billy Murray told me: “My uncle, Robbie Murray, started the original band. A clock-maker, with a business in Bridge Street, Robbie was the first to hold the prestigious position of Pipe Major.” Andrew Miller, the current Pipe Major, shows me the Minute Book which details the very first meetings of the Kilted Pipe Band. Formal and reserved, the meetings were chaired by his Grandfather. (Andrew still plays a rare set of bagpipes, dating from the 1st World War).

Jimmy Miller and George Dixon, wearing the old uniform.

During the second world war the band did not perform. After this break, in the 1950s, the band we know and love today, was formed, and renamed 'The Rothbury Highland Pipe Band'. The first members were the forefathers of many of the current ensemble. Andrew continues the story: “My grandfather, James Miller had fought in WW1. He worked as a forester and gardener at Cragside. My father was Jim Miller; he was the dispensing chemist in Rothbury for a long time. He was a piper. My uncle, Jack Miller, had been in the army. He became the Drum Major”.

The current formation is a little less militaristic, being more interested in music and community. Of course, marching, and playing marches, is still very much part of their repertoire. Their choice of music, though, besides the conventional, is influenced by different Celtic music traditions from several other countries. I was fascinated to learn that there are many types of bagpipes throughout the world.

About 15 years ago the uniform began to be replaced. Although very distinctive, the first one was heavy, uncomfortable, and outdated.
Out went the huge sporrans, the heavy plaids, the spats and gaiters.
The new uniform: white shirts, black waistcoats, Mackenzie tartan kilts, white socks and Ghillie Brogues. 'How did the old uniform feel to wear?' I ask Billy Murray
'Really hot and uncomfortable!' he laughs.

I was interested to discover that although RHPB has always comprised members of a core group of Rothbury Families (Miller, Murray, Scott, Nixon and Charleton) they are inextricably linked with another pipe band.

Andrew explains: “A chance meeting between Iain MacDonald, the Pipe Major from Neilston, in Scotland, and Rothbury's Drum Major, Jack Miller, over 40 years ago changed absolutely everything”.

Iain had wanted to buy a set of Northumbrian Pipes from the famous Longframlington maker, David Burleigh. So, he and his family came to Rothbury to do that and combined the visit with a holiday. One evening, as Iain passed the old POW hut, he noticed a sign about the RHPB practices. Asking about this in the Turk's Head pub, Iain and Jack Miller met. The men became great friends; the two pipe bands developed an extraordinary comradeship and ties, which continue to this day.

Neilston & District Pipe Band

Unusually, both RHPB and the Neilston Band, compose and write some of their own music. Iain and members of the RHPB were instrumental in founding the legendary Rothbury Traditional Music Festival. (Sadly, neither the Music Festival, nor the RHPB Centenary Celebrations, took place this year, because of Covid-19 restrictions).

The identity of the Band is woven into the fabric of Coquetdale and its people. Andrew tells me: “We do not aspire to play the best, just the best we can, for the community. We have a real inclusivity; enthusiasm is as important as talent”.

This spirit is what has won them the greatest respect and admiration. Training youngsters to become part of the band, and carry on the tradition, is important. They are keen to recruit new members, who they will guide and support.

Instruments played are the bagpipes; the tenor, and the snare drum. The musicians in the band do, however, all play to an extremely high standard. Stephen Walker, who plays the snare drum, is a world class performer. Lauren Cockburn is an excellent tenor drummer - she took the respected role of Drum Major from David Brown two years ago, when he retired, after he had successfully led the Band for many years.

The late, and much missed, David Brown.

Steven Walker

Dick played the Big Bass Drum and heartily enjoyed the social side of being in the Band. Sadie decided that she was going to join. She got some pipes and began to practise. Their nephew, Andrew Charleton: “Maybe she learned so she could keep an eye on Uncle Dick!

After she mastered the bagpipes, she learned the accordion, keyboard, and saxophone. Honestly, she would have a go at anything!”

Dick and Sadie became the caretakers of the Jubilee Hall. In those days, it had a flat roof. Sadie would practise up there, on the roof, and her pipes could be heard up and down the streets of Rothbury.

Andrew: “It was weird, because, as she was so tiny, no-one could see her”.

By the late 1970s, Sadie was a popular member of the band, and they were kept busy playing at many events.

Andrew remembers: “She wasn't the best piper, but she was enthusiastic. She was a real character, well, they both were. You always mentioned them together, Dick and Sadie. Never just the one. He was so proud of her - oh and the stories they would tell!”.

Nowadays it is not unusual for women to be part of pipe bands. Both Neilston and Rothbury Bands have several female members. Two of Rothbury's women live in Scotland but choose to play for RHPB.

I ask Fiona Mitchell, who lives in Ayrshire, how she came to join: “My partner and I came down for the Music Festival, Alnwinton Show, and New Year's Day. We loved the fabulous atmosphere and the support from the community. We joined the band on a permanent basis, even though it means a long journey to play with them.

Neilstone & District Pipe Band, and Rothbury Highland Pipe Band. 2021

Paula Tanner tells me a similar story: “I came down from Paisley to play on New Year's Day 20 years ago. Been a member ever since!”

The other women in the Band are local. In fact, the most prestigious role, Drum Major, is held by Lauren Cockburn, who plays the Tenor and Side drum brilliantly.

Lauren has competed all over the UK.

“My favourite is the side drum. This is often a male-dominated position; to be female on the back row, and in charge, is incredibly special”.

Lauren was instrumental in teaching and supporting Hayley Herron, an especially talented tenor drummer, who has developed her style of twirling and flourishing and is a pleasure to watch. In turn, Hayley has taught and encouraged Victoria Richardson, one of the younger band members, aged 19, who enjoys playing at big events.

Women now play a fundamental role in RHPB. As they do in the Neilston Pipe Band. These women support, encourage and inspire one another. They are 'sisters'.

I asked them all how it feels to be a woman playing in what was traditionally a male dominated ensemble?
From the Neilston Band:
Alyson Connell: “For 40 odd years I've been associated with RHPB. There was always the huge character that was wee Sadie Charlton; so, it's never felt unusual to me. However, you are aware of being in the minority when you get comments like 'I've never heard of a lassie piper!' which I got just a few years ago!”

Alyson Connell, photo credit Neilston Pipe Band

Nikki Walk: “The first time I realised it wasn't 'normal' for girls to play was when I performed at a wedding, aged 12, and a guest (older man) came up to me after piping guests in and said 'I have never seen a wee lassie play the pipes before. Brilliant!', and then popped a £20 note in my jacket pocket.
Our band is a bit of an exception; there has always been at least 4 or 5 women involved at any one time, during the last 25 years”.

Nikki Walk

Emma Mechan Spence: “I joined the band aged 9. I was taught the pipes by Iain MacDonald, who sadly recently passed away. Being a woman in the band has never made me feel out of place; and in fact, it is now quite usual”.

Emma Spence. Photo credit, Neilston Pipe Band.

I am sure you will agree with me that RHPB is all the richer for the legacy of the determination and perseverance of a special little lady, Sadie Charleton.

The Pipe Band wanted to help.
Andrew Charleton explained: “All the villages had been missing the income from the shows; we thought we could help them out during this fallow year, by collecting funds.

Andrew Miller remembers: “We had all enjoyed watching a popular TV show: Billy Connolly's World Tour of Scotland. Billy Connolly is the double of half of the guys in the Neilston Band! They look like him and have the same sense of humour. Lovely people with hearts of gold”

Andrew had a great idea: “It came to me - Why don't we have a World Tour of Coquetdale!'

The plan was firmed up and the very first WToC set up. An old red double decker bus was hired from the Honey Farm at Chain bridge. Word got around and lots of musicians were up for joining in, including Chris Stout, the famous Scottish fiddle player, Rothbury's Lynn Tocker, accordion player, and many others.
Adverts were made, people were told, collecting buckets prepared.

And so the first WTofC took place to great acclaim. The bus stopped at each village, the band played, the pubs were full, music rang out around Coquetdale.

It was a tremendous, resounding, success.

Once the farming crisis passed, the shows continued; but people remembered the World Tour and pleaded with the Band to do it again. And so it became an annual event.

Until this year, when again a health crisis has prevented the Shows, but this time, has also stopped us being near one another, so the Tour is impossible.
This being the Centenary Year of the Band, it is particularly unfortunate. But no-one in RHPB stays down for long: “We will plan the biggest and best celebration ever” Hayley Herron insists.
I know that they will, it is a shame it will be in 2021, but it will be a party not to miss!

Find out more about the Neilston & District Pipe Band

Find out more about the Rothbury Highland Pipe Band

The above were the three articles that were published in the Northumberland Gazette.
I asked Andrew Miller to update me on what has been happening since.

Andrew:

Like any other voluntary community group, the membership of the pipe band is constantly changing and evolving, with some members departing and new players joining. As has often happened over the years, particularly with younger players, careers, family and other commitments understandably take precedence.

Lauren, our first female Drum Major, has taken some time out from the band, and Barry Chalk has ably taken up the challenge of picking up the mace and leading the band on parade.

We've said goodbye to a number of others, and at the same time welcomed new members. We are delighted that another of our female members, Donna Scott, an accomplished piper and experienced pipe tutor is helping us all polish up our playing at the band's Monday night practices. Amongst those benefitting from Donna's expertise is Michelle Addis who came to us with some previous experience of piping. Donna has been helping Michelle to develop her skills and to learn some of Rothbury's repertoire.

Following the traumatic and disruptive events of 2020, thankfully all of our local events have returned and so the band has once again been able to support both Thropton and Alwinton shows, the Simonside Country Fair and Hay Show, Rothbury Traditional Music Festival and the Christmas lights events, and we've reinstated the band's World Tour of Coquetdale. Most importantly, we've continued to lead the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade each year, as we've done since 1920. In 2025 the band will be playing at all of these events and in October, will once again be welcoming players from our sister Band from Neilston in Scotland to join us at Alwinton Show for what will be there 50th visit!

Pipe Major Andrew Miller.

Pipe Major Andrew Miller playing Dui Regnare
June 2022