Nairn Pipe band is hoping for bright future
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HOPES that Nairn Pipe Band faces a bright new future have been raised after a well attended public meeting following months of uncertainty that it could be about to fold.
There was disappointment locally last year when the band failed to appear at the Nairn Armistice Parade due to lack of availability of pipers. Organisers Nairn British Legion had to recruit a young local piper at the 11th hour.
And since the lifting of Covid restrictions the band’s only public appearance was at the Nairn Highland Games in August.
The Nairn Games’ piping convener Derek Prior revealed that the Nairn band only confirmed it would be attending days before the event having been invited in January.
Rumours have been rife of a division within the band with the drumming corps making themselves available for performances but not the pipers.
Lt Col Bob Towns, president of Nairn Royal British Legion which provides facilities for band practice, said: “I was fielding regular questions about the pipe band and decided to hold a meeting to allow all those interested to air their views.
“It was well attended. And although it was clear the divisions remain there was a clear consensus that Nairn needs and values its pipe band. As the president of the British Legion in Nairn I was very disappointed at their non-appearance at the Armistice Parade last year and didn’t want a repeat this year. A lot of people felt it was disrespectful and felt very hurt, voiced their disapproval to me and they are right. The day is not the same without the pipe band.
“We now have an assurance that the band will be in attendance under their new Pipe Major Kevin Reid this year and they will be supported by Inverness and District Youth Pipe Band. We are also recruiting non-playing members to the committee.”
At the meeting Mr Towns read an anonymous letter from someone who attended band practice sessions and spoke of ‘derogatory’ remarks being made towards the drum corps and ‘equally negative’ comments about the band in general.
“The younger members do not have any confidence to say anything and the older ones seem unable to say what they are thinking and just moved on rather than confront the situation as it had seemingly gone on too long to effect any change,” the letter stated.
Drummer Neil Allan told the meeting they had a good corps of young drummers but they could lose them because they were not being given the chance to perform.
Piper Alastair Mackenzie claimed the problem was they didn’t have enough pipers.
Secretary Annie Fraser said she was in a position where she could not confirm bookings because she could never get confirmation they would have any pipers.
Pipe Major Richard Anderson, currently playing with the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association Pipe Band, who has volunteered to teach new recruits, said there needed to be a complete culture change in the band so parents of young pipers knew their youngsters would receive the support and encouragement they needed.
“We have to leave the past at the door and stop pointing fingers. We can either move forward or tonight marks the end of Nairn Pipe Band.”
Pipe Major Anderson, who is not a member of the Nairn band, said he, and the new Pipe Major Kevin Reid, had been involved in successful recruitment and training programmes for young pipers in Moray.
“My view going forward is it would be a teaching pipe band bringing in new pipers to get a new direction.
“I have worked with Kevin for years. I am confident we can do the same here in Nairn. But it will take up to 18 months to bring these youngsters up to the necessary standard.
“Kevin is a Pipe Major in his own right. You are very lucky to get him. Let’s park the bus and start moving forward.”
Former Royal Highland Fusilier, Drum Major Tom Brown of Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band and of the Inverness Youth District Pipe Band, has offered his services to train young drummers.
He added the youth band were willing to provide a back-up to support Nairn at this year’s Armistice Parade. “We need to reassure the community there is going to be a proper structure in place.”
Kevin Reid said: “I am fully committed to getting Nairn Pipe Band back on track. It was a constructive meeting where differences of opinions were aired. But I feel we have an experienced team committed to bringing Nairn Pipe Band back as part of this community. We can assure parents and the youngsters they will be fully supported and a new structure will be put in place to ensure their proper development into young pipers with the band. Nairn Pipe Band will be at the Armistice Parade this year and Nairn Pipe Band is back. The community has that assurance.”
