Alloa Advertiser | News | Bowmar band flies the flag

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 12:00

Bowmar band flies the flag

By Nicola Findlay

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Senior members of the Bowmar Pipe Band receive the flag from Provost Derek Stewart.

Pic by: David Robertson

ALLOA Bowmar Pipe Band got in tune to officially mark the beginning of the their season.

The night of music and dance in Alloa Town Hall last week also saw the presentation of a specially commissioned flag which the band will carry with them where ever they go.

Provost Derek Stewart presented the flag, which was made possible thanks to a donation from the family of Stuart Robertson, who was the band’s first president and chairman of the committee.

The band are busy preparing for a host of appearances at various Highland Games which take place across the country, beginning in Dunbar in May.

And this summer they will travel a little further afield to the Cote D’Azur in France.

They have been invited to play at an international festival in the town of Beziers and will join

This isn’t the first time the band has travelled to France and they hope this return trip will prove as successful as the first.

Graham Winters, Drum Major of Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band, told the Advertiser, “Last summer we went to Dax in France to play in a music festival and the reception we got was amazing, so we will be hoping for the same again this year.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it and it is always a great honour to be asked to play at these festivals, especially when you see the local bands playing their national music.”

The trip will be made all the more memorable as they will be carrying the flag in memory of Stuart Robertson.

“This is the first time that we will have a flag with us and it is fitting that it is in memory of Stuart,” said Graham.

“It will be carried proudly along with the Saltire and the Lion Rampant in France and wherever else we go.”

As well as the trip to France, Graham is busy preparing to compete for the first time as a Drum Major.

He is taking part in the Scottish, British and European Championships but will miss out on the chance to compete on the World stage due to the band’s trip to France.

“This year will be the first time I will be a competing Drum Major but I am looking forward to it,” said Graham.

“As long as I get a ranking I will be happy as it takes a long time to work your way up.

“I will be competing against world champions and possibly my own instructor, Billy Jordan, who was a senior Drum Major with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.”

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