Saturday 18th August 7pm
St Merryn Carnival Nr Padstow
Pipers: Nigel, Rob, Stuart, Tom G, Ian, Chris, David, Keith N
Drums: Snare – Tom W, James, Geoff
Bass – Keith I
The skies were leaden in parts but the drizzling rain had stopped when we got to St Merryn. The weather forecast for the evening of cloud, sun and showers was not so off-putting for it was only 5 pm. It was a good turnout of eight pipers and four drummers. Dress was shirt sleeves with ties and glengarries. The band was soon warming up and drawing the attention of bystanders in the large field. The sun came out briefly as floats arrived in the field and parents and children entered in their fancy dress to take their place in line for judging.
At 7 pm the Parade started, led by two steam engines followed by a horse drawn carriage and the Kernow Pipes & Drums. By now the streets were packed with locals and holidaymakers and the sun shone. The members paced themselves as the two steaming giants were not in racing mode down the gradual hill to the Crossroads. And there were also the “horse’s deposits” to carefully avoid in the middle of the road.
There was no visible crowd control official at the crossroads and as the band did a right wheel into the crowded road for their final position, there was startled laughter from bystanders as they parted to let them through. There was a lovely holiday atmosphere and much leaping about and waving of arms to accompany the music when the British Legion Set was played, The band played on whilst the rest of the procession continued on down the road before turning round and rejoining the Band.
The music played included – The Three Slow Airs Set, Scotland the Brave Set, Highland Cathedral, Towerhill Dreams, The Last of the Great Whales and Amazing Grace. Three Pipers played a solo, one of which was part of The Waddington Set, and of course Trelawney was played. It was over in 1 hour and 15 minutes and all agreed it had been another entertaining event.
