Saturday 25th July
St Mawes Regatta and annual picnic
Pipers: Nigel (Pipe Major), Alex, Miranda, Stuart, Ian, David C, David T, John C, Felicity
Drummers: Snare – Tom W, Eleanor, Tenor – John R, Vic, Bass – Keith I
Drum Major – Andrew
The weather was perfect for the St Mawes inaugural Regatta, as it was sunny with occasional coolness from a gentle breeze. By 0900 hours, the Band members had assembled at Ian and Heather’s home where there was a welcome cup of tea and a bacon roll. There was time to relax and take in the wonderful panoramic view from the windows of their hilltop home. It was a very good turnout of 9 pipers, 5 drummers and Drum Major. The dress code was white shirts, spats, hairy sporrans and glengarries. After a brief warm-up of the pipes in the garage the band walked down to the Memorial Hall at 10.00 hours and half an hour later were playing Green Hills along the sea front and on to the crowded Quay.
There was a busy programme of entertainment in this two day event, which included The Cornish Connection, a men’s Barbershop Harmony Chorus, various displays at sea and demonstrations with Kayaks, Paddle-boarding, diving displays, RNLI sea safety, and a Coastguard Display, to name but a few.
As the Quay was so crowded, the Band marched to the end and counter marched back until a fair size space was located between the stalls where they could form a circle and play. The MC welcomed everyone to the boat show, spent a few minutes talking about its various aspects and after thanking the Kernow Pipes and Drums for opening the day, asked them to continue playing.
{vsig}2015/stmawes-hood1{/vsig}There was much appreciation from the crowds and half an hour later, the Band left the Quay to march from the quay to the Pink Cottage and the drums were transported up the hill to the Castle in readiness to play on the Battlements. It was a stunning experience for the onlookers outside, looking down on to the battlements of the ancient castle with the backcloth of calm blue seas and boats in the distance. The sound of the pipes and drums could be heard clearly in the still air and passing cars paused on the hill and walkers stopped to listen. They played for 30 minutes and came down to the lower levels for a photoshoot. Tunes played during the morning included the following – Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, Last of the Great Whales, Dark Isle. Green Hills/Battles O’er, Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Waters of Kylesku/Skye Boat/Morag of Dunvegan, and High Road to Gairloch/Murdo’s Wedding/Bonny Lass.
By 12.00 all the Members had returned to Ian and Heather’s house who were hosting the BBQ/picnic for the Band. The weather continued sunny and after everyone changed into more casual attire the next four hours were spent in lovely surroundings, congenial company and partaking of a lavish BBQ and Buffet – an enjoyable culmination to a prestigious engagement.
