Since before WWII there has been a Pipe Band in Cambridge.
In those early
days the band was associated with the Cambridge Caledonian Society which
no longer exists.
During WWII the band went into recess but was restarted in 1947. When it
reformed the band took the current name.
The three to four decades following WWII were the heyday period for Pipe Bands when almost
every significant town in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and King Country had a pipe band.
Waihi, Tauranga (3), Te Puke, Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo, Paeroa/Te Aroha,
Matamata,Tokoroa/Putaruru, Taumarunui, Te Kuiti,
Otorohanga, Te Awamutu, Raglan, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, Cambridge,
and Hamilton (2).
Some remain. Thames Valley (Paeroa), Tauranga,
Te Puke, Rotorua, Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu, Raglan, Hamilton and Cambridge.
Learn to play the Bagpipes or the Drums with the Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band:
The Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band performed at numerous competitions, A&P Shows, community events
and parades. To-day the band is less competition oriented and A&P Shows are
less important as fewer people work in agriculture. However the band still
fulfills an important community role. We are always present on ANZAC Day Parade and
at the Armistice Remembrance Day ceremony. We perform monthly during every Lions’ Trash
and Treasure Market Day – weather permitting, and pay regular Christmas visits
to old folks homes in our district. Parades like those for returning Olympians
and sporting Champions are another type of event the band adds colour and ceremony to.
Our band provides a healthy challenging past-time. The challenge of mastering
one of the oldest types of musical instruments is still taken up by interested
people of all ages.
Cambridge is a rural services town
21 km to the ESE of Hamilton city. Located at the farthest
navigable upriver position on the Waikato River (NZ's longest
river) it was settled early in NZ's settlement days. The town is
characterised by many mature trees such as oaks and planes, and
redwoods. It has a grassed "village" square surrounded
by mature trees, with plenty of parkland and facilities. The town
centre retains a village atmosphere and the district is one of
the main NZ equestrian centres.
Band practice night: Thursday evenings, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Location: Cambridge Municipal band rooms, Vogel Park, Vogel St.
Tuition: is available for learning the bagpipes, and drums.
Contacts:
See contact details at the bottom of this page.
A late '80's photo Leading the
ANZAC Day Parade
Right: A photo taken outside the band rooms we share with the Cambridge Municipal Band. |
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The tunes
we play
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Though not currently an actively competing
pipe band we are currently regaining strength. We have a more social
playing agenda. Our primary playout is a regular monthly (2nd Sunday
of each month) playout on the Cambridge Lion's Market Day. We have
now performed at this so regularly that our contribution is part
of the market day culture. We also play at old folks homes around
Cambridge and are prominently involved with ANZAC Day and the
Cambridge Armistice Remembrance Day Parade each year. We actively
support and participate in Clan Gatherings around the Waikato region
and take part in Tattoos and also the informal competitions held in
various towns. A film involvement (Nov.2000).
If you're in the Waikato, like browsing through market stalls and
enjoy pipe music, why not make a visit to the Cambridge Lion's Market
Day (2nd Sunday each month 9am - 1pm). The band plays between
10.30 am and noon.
The band also gets involved with impromtu community parades for
various Cambridge entities that do so well in sporting activities.
In September 2004 the band, along with a couple of guest
drummers, lead the Cambridge welcoming parade for the three Gold
Medal Olympians who are based locally. The Evers-Swindell twin
sisters who won Gold for rowing, and Sarah Ulmer who won Gold in
cycling. This was a mid-week middle of the day parade and the
band was well supported by members taking time off work. This was
an exceptional occasion and the band is grateful to members and
their employers, for the support given. More recently the band also
fielded a strong show for the returning 2008 Olympians parade.
More medals to the regions sporting efforts. Our region does well.
The Clan Gatherings are basically
an afternoon get to gether of folk from various Scottish Clans.
One Clan (or a startup Clan group of a Clan not previously present
in the Waikato / Bay Of Plenty / King Country region) acts as the
host Clan. The day starts with a parade of Clans and tartans, lead
by any piper's and drummers present. The Jacobite period group Clan
Alba parade in old sttyle gear and conduct a mock battle and
demonstrate a highland charge. Folk then move indoors and Clan
representatives present are piped into the assembly. When all are
presented each Clan representative gives a brief overview of their
activities or Clan history. Then there are a number of items of a
Scottish cultural nature. These are performed by anyone (or group)
who is present (planned and impromtu) or has been invited along
specifically to perform. These vary from singing, music (piping,
fiddle, accordian, whistles, bodran, harp etc), highland and country
and set dancin. People are encouraged to participate but if sitting
and watching is your interest, that's fine too.
Wallace Clan Gathering, Te Aroha, City of Manukau Pipes and Drums march out. |
The gatherings have an aim of fostering interest as well
as participation. There is usually a haggis ceremony and the haggis
forms as entree to lunch. Usually this is a bring a plate pot luck
affair and there never has been any shortage of food.
Gathering hosted by Clan Wallace in Te Aroha on September 25th.
The band joined with the Manukau City Pipes and Drums (who were
attired in their new Blue Wallace kilts) and lead the parade
through the town. The Cambridge band played a mini-band item and
the Pipe-Major played for highland dancing, remembrance of old
friends and for some of the ceilidh dancing.
The Cambridge Pipe band believes in being part of a healthy Celtic
/Scottish community not just a mono-cultural Pipe Band movement.
We encourage members to participate in piping for dancing (ceilidh
or Highland styles), solo competitions (especially for our growing
group of younger pipers and drummers) and other situations in the
broader aspects of community.
More pipers and drummers
(experienced and learners) are welcome. Not so long ago we were too few in numbers. This has been
reversed and we now have a growing group enjoying the style of
activities we are involved with. We would certainly welcome more
members and hope the trend augers well for the band's future.
Anyone wanting to join the band will be made most welcome. If you
would like to learn the pipes or drums the band can organise
tuition.
Members of the band participating at one of our workshops. |
As the need arises the band runs weekend workshops using the services
of tutors from outside the region. For example Bill Robertson (piping instructor) and Glenn Rodgers (Drumming),
from Auckland.
Contacts:
Bryan Mitchell, Pipe-Major, Ph. (07) 870 5242 or email to kilts@xtra.co.nz
Jim Kerr, President, 15 Vogel St., Cambridge. Ph (07) 827 7259
The band wears the Seaforth MacKenzie tartan. Full uniform
includes full tunic, kilt, plaid, sword belt, waist belt, horse
hair sporran, half hose and spats, with headwear a Glengarry or
full bonnet. Alternative full uniform changes spats and half hose
for navy hose and shoe buckles and Glengarry. Most often we wear
black Craill jackets (when temperatures are comfortable to do so)
, white shirt and Mackenzie tie and the navy hose with shoe
buckles, or cream/off-white hose with ghillie brogue shoes. A
black leather sporran is used normally. The horse hair sporran is
only used with full miltiary style uniform, half hose and spats..
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In #2 full uniform. Some members relaxing after an ANZAC
Day Parade
In #1 full uniform. Leading Cambridge RSA and other
organisations for an ANZAC Day parade |
Visit a N.Z. Pipe Band Forum
If you're interested in pipe-bands and piping in
New Zealand, on our 2nd link page are
other pipe-band sites that may interest you. Some of these have
links to military history and regimental sites. Take a quick look
at what's on all the link
pages before you leave on another trail. Enjoy your browsing.
French Connections. (France / Francais)
Breton BAGAD. Have you ever heard of Breton Pipe Bands called 'Bagad'?
French Scottish Pipe Bands.
Bagad are not the only pipe bands in France. There are many Scottish style
pipe bands also. One established in Pornic,
Loire-Atlantique, is called the
'Mary Queen of Scots Pipe Band' with a web-site entitled
D-Day Pipers
Another web-site is that of the Paris & Districts Pipe Band.
C&DPB Band Contacts:
President: Jim Kerr, 15 Vogel St, Cambridge (07) 827 7259
Secretary: Jo Smith, 3 Maranantha Way, Cambridge
Pipe-Major: Bryan Mitchell Ph. (07)870 5242 kilts@xtra.co.nz
