Gordon Walker and Surprise Donation

Gordon has just finished his recital at the CoP to thunderous applause. The Lecture Hall was packed as you can imagine and this added to the general atmosphere. We had visitors from all over the piping world but none more welcome than P/M Rose Fletcher who in her 91st year looked younger than ever. Gordon thrilled the listeners with his electric fingerwork but never over-showy. There was great control and precision more than flash. The pipe was beautifully set with the drone sound smooth and full. He played part of 'Scarce of Fishing' and the only regret was that he didn't play the whole tune. Gordon explained that he had been given it by the late Andrew Pitkeathly former Director of Army Bagpipe Music at Edinburgh Castle. Gordon was serving as a Corporal in the Royal Highland Fusiliers at the time. At the conclusion of his hour long set Rose asked Gordon for 'The Black Bear' as an encore. He kindly obliged and left the stage with the audience cheering and clapping along to 'No Awa' Tae Bide Awa'. Hopefully he'll be true that sentiment and give us another recital at the CoP during next year's World's Week.

Well that rounds things off for another year and I think it has been a great success overall with some good yarns emerging along the way. Canadian Geoff Neigh told me an interesting tale which came about at a reed workshop run by Colin MacLellan at the Piping Centre. Colin decided to auction one of his best specimens and the successful bidder was Andrew Berthoff who runs the Canadian Piper and Drummer website. Andrew paid £13.50 for the reed. Suggestions for what should be done with the money were asked for and it was decided that it should go to the College Building Fund. Luckily for all concerned none of the Centre's top brass was lurking behind any pillar -- at least not as far as we know! Once the cash is received I'll add Colin and Andrew's names to our benefactor's Roll of Honour.