Thomas Grotrian: 1973-2011

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Pipefest

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Thomas Grotrian has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Thomas Grotrian was instrumental in developing the World’s biggest massed pipe band in Edinburgh, 1995. It was his vision and determination that brought thousands of pipers and drummers together to march along Princes Street to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

It was this event that became the inspiration for Pipefest and since 1995, massed pipe band parades under the Pipefest banner have taken place in Edinburgh, New York, Chicago, the US Grand Prix, Indianapolis, Rome, Paris, Basel, Kyoto, Shanghai and Nova Scotia. Over £750,o00 has been raised for cancer charities by the players taking part and spectators along route. Highlights have included: the Millennuim Piping Festival attended by HRH Prince Charles; marching through Manhattan led by Sir Sean Connery and Mayor Bloomberg; marching under the Eiffel Tower in Paris; opening the US Grand Prix in a parade led by Sir Jackie Stewart; and Pipefest 2005 which attracted players from 32 countries.

After Pipefest 2005, Tom summed-up working on massed pipe band events: “we have had great fun”. Indeed – there are many great memories, proud moments & fun times, all thanks to Tom!

Magnus

Tom’s funeral will take place on Thursday, 11th August. Tom’s family would like to invite a number of pipers and drummers to play at the funeral. Updates will be published on this site.

If you would like to play or attend please contact:
Magnus Orr – magnus@pipefest.com

St Ninian’s Day Parade – Papal Visit

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Pipefest

Thank you to all players, marshals and flag distributors who took part in the St Ninian’s Day Parade and helped welcome Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland.

The First Minister Alex Salmond, wrote: “The Combination of pipers, drummers, historical characters and school children from St Ninian schools across Scotland – against the historic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle – was a spectacular success and created a stunning visual backdrop to the visit. .”

I very much enjoyed meeting some of the participants before the parade began and was struck by the excitement and enthusiasm of all involved. Thank you again for your contribution to the success of the day.”

His Eminence, Cardinal O’Brien wrote: “I write to thank all those who helped you during what was a wonderful event. Scotland showed its ‘best face’ quite literally to the whole world, as I learned, following on our ‘Scottish St Ninian’s Day’ when I was with the Papal entourage in England and then at a meeting of European Bishops in Zagreb in Croatia!

I hope and pray that the visit will have a lasting effect on us all in Scotland, as well on the peoples of England and Wales, and indeed Ireland, granted that the visit, and the words and actions of the Pope, were so widely broadcast.

I renew my sincere thanks to all those involved in the St Ninian’s Parade.”

St Ninian's Day - Pope Benedict XVI

First Minister, Alex Salmond greets school St Ninian School children

First Minister, Alex Salmond meets Robert Burns

For the full photo gallery please visit Flickr

Travel Expenses – Pipe Band Buses: all claims have been submitted together to the grant aid body and bands should expect payment by the end of November.

Piper Bill Millin

Posted on October 29, 2010 by admin

Article credited to the Pegasus Archive

Bill Millin was the Piper of the 1st Special Service Brigade, and was amongst the more noticeable men to land on the Normandy Beaches on the 6th June as he played the Brigade ashore with his bagpipes. The following is his personal account of D-Day.

I went along to the Hamble River, aboard the landing craft with twenty-one others, and we went in the leading one and I had the Pipes in the box. I had been playing to the troops waiting to go aboard the craft and then I put them back in the box and Lord Lovat said “you better get them out of the box again because once we set sail by nine thirty or nine o’clock, you can play us out of the Solent. We will be in line astern. You will be in the leading craft with me”, so that was the start of it then. He never mentioned what to do. He realised that I knew what to do. I had to pipe ashore in the water up onto the beach and then later he would tell me when to play.

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