Friday December 20th 2024
This article has been written by Midlothian View reader Hazel Thomson with memories from Barbara Dickson, now in her 90s living in Australia.
A hundred years after forming, Borthwick & District Pipe Band played in Gorebridge to celebrate the switch on of the Christmas lights.
The band originally started as a Fushiebridge Band but later became Borthwick. Memories from the bands early days have been shared by Barbara Dickson, now in her 90s living in Australia. Her father, Alex Hennessey was one of the original members led by Pipe Major Halliday who was ex Army trained and a strict disciplinarian. Alex later went on to become Pipe Major. When the band started, Alex, his brother Angus, brother-in-law William Duncan, also two cousins, Jock and Andrew Pearson, were all members so it was quite a family affair.
The population of Fushiebridge, Middleton and Gorebridge was very small in 1924 so it was a hard task to raise money for their uniforms so lots of activities were arranged and collections continued until they were finally paid. Eventually, on a bright summer’s day in 1924, the band paraded in Gorebridge in their splendid new uniforms of Royal Stewart tartan. Borthwick Pipe Band has been well known in Gorebridge and area, playing at Gorebridge Galadays for many years, flower shows, fetes, also Sale of Work days at Borthwick Church – lots more too numerous to mention, although there was one very special occasion at Dirleton to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
Borthwick Band had many loyal members from the local area over the years. As time went on, Alex’s three sons joined the band. Drew taught the drummers, Dave and Stewart the pipers. At one stage in the band, Alex’s three sons, two nephews, two cousins were in the band – all Hennesseys. Dave Hennessey was Pipe Major until he died.
The band was originally supported by local miners so the loss of the mining industry was also a huge loss to the pipe band. Despite that the band continued and in the 1980s the band formed a firm bond with the Trommler Pfeifer und FanfarenCorps from Hoengen in Germany and the two bands enjoyed regular exchange visits.
Sadly, when Covid hit, it decimated the band and it was effectively mothballed. However, against all the odds, they have now reformed under the leadership of new Pipe Major, Chris Crawford who played in the band from the age of 10 years. As well as him, other players who played in the band as children are also on board – Alistair McNeil (previous pipe major), his daughter Vicky McLean, Lead Drummer Lee Noon along with Callum Murdoch.
Chris recently commented: “We are progressing at quite a rate with 40 members already between learners and players. We practice every Wednesday in Gorebridge Church Hall from 18:30-21:00. We are so excited about the future and are very confident we can guide the band to be bigger and better than ever before. The future is looking good for Borthwick & District Pipe Band.”
Just as they did in the early days, the band are currently fundraising so that they can provide uniforms. They have a proud history and over the years have taught the art of playing pipes and drums to many people of all ages.
You can donate on their Just Giving page HERE
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