Sunday 11th August
RNLI St Ives Harbour Day
Pipers: Nigel, Ian, Miranda, Keith G, David C, Chris,
Drummers: Snare – Tom G, Tenor – Andrew, Fred, Amber
Flag Bearer – Alex
The weather was stunning with blue skies and sunshine without being uncomfortably hot. Band members were to meet at a member’s house for parking and refreshments before being ferried down in two cars to rally at the RNLI slipway where they played the first of their three performances. This fund raising occasion had been organized by the St Ives Rotarians who were much in evidence on the seafront in their colourful shirts. Dress code for the day was No 1s with feather bonnets and there were six pipers, four drummers and the flag bearer.
There were to be three slots to play, 13.15, 14.30 and 15.30. Collection tins were put out and the public were generous in their contributions showing their appreciation of the Band’s fine performance.
The town and seafront were teeming with visitors and on their way to and from their breaks there were many requests for photo shoots with the visitors.
Tunes played during the afternoon included the following – Green Hills/Battles O’er, Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Scotland the Brave/Mairi’s Wedding, Waters of Kylesku/Skye Boat Song/Morag of Dunvegan, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland, Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, Last of the Great Whales, Colin’s Cattle/Shoals of Herring and Dark Isle.
After the first break and general photo opportunity the Band members marched down to the Harbour front to the old slipway to play for half an hour before returning to play their final performance at the Lifeboat House/Slipway. The two youngest members of the Band did an amazing job considering the length of time standing and the sea breeze that at times whipped the large flag around the Flag Bearer’s face.
By 16.00 hours the Band were dismissed and being ferried back up to the member’s house where they spent a couple of hours relaxing and unwinding and partaking of welcome refreshment. It was yet another very enjoyable day with a warm reception by the public in very good weather.
