Saturday 26th July
St Teath Carnival
TARKA PIPES AND DRUMS
Pipers: Darren, Dave
Drummer:
Tenor: Gemma
KERNOW PIPES AND DRUMS
Pipers: Nigel, Tom G, Keith G, Miranda, David C, Chris
Drummers:
Snare: Tom W
Tenor: Fred
Bass: Andrew
Following the enjoyable play-along at the Delabole Carnival a request was received mid week to support the Tarka Band at the St Teath Carnival. There was a positive response from the Kernow Band and six pipers and three drummers attended. The Dress Code was shirt sleeves and the weather was hot and humid. By 17.00 hours the two Bands had met up for a warm up in the Carnival field before the Parade at 18.00 hours.
St Teath village was a picturesque venue with its lovely village square and narrow streets and 14th-15th century church which was currently holding a beautiful Flower Festival. The area was buzzing with visitors and families – as was the Church hall which was being used for a range of welcome refreshments. After a stroll round the inside of the church looking at the magnificent flower displays, some of the members partook of the refreshments in the church hall.
Other Bands taking part were the Camelford Town Band, the Delabole Town Band, Samba Band, and the very lively Jumping Out Jazz Band. It was a bright and colourful procession with fancy dressers, comical floats, trade vehicles and of course the Fairy Queens. The combined Pipe Band sounded impressive and the roads were packed with onlookers cheering and clapping.
Tunes played during the Carnival included the following – Dark Isle, Highland Cathedral, Scotland the Brave, Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Scotland the Brave/Mairi’s Wedding, Colin’s Cattle/Castle Dangerous, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland, Last of the Great Whales, Green Hills/Battles O’er.
The Parade took half an hour to reach the Village Square and the Band stopped just beyond it waiting for the Carnival to turn. They were then asked to go into the Square where they stopped playing while the prize giving took place. During that time they mingled with the crowd and favourable comments were made. One piper took his pipes and re-entered the Church to play Abide with me to a small, appreciative audience.
Once play was resumed, a request was made for Dark Isle to be played and the Band then played for 20 minutes to a large audience. On dismissal the Pipers and Drummers walked back to the Carnival field to a good rendition of the RBL Set played by the two Tarka Band Pipers.
It had been a pleasant evening spent in a lovely village atmosphere and the combined Pipe and Drums Bands had sounded exceptional!
