Celtic Fringe - About Me

About Me
Arnhem Parade, Somerby This parade is to remember and honour the veterans of "Operation Market Garden" (the 'Bridge Too Far'), which began on Sunday morning, September 17th, 1944.	John started the pipes in the summer of 1981 with the local "The City of Leicester Pipe Band", it was eight months for the transition from learning on the practice chanter to going on the pipes. When the then Pipe Major, Tom Rooney, left to form another band "The Phoenix Pipe Band" in 1982 I went with him (after all he did provide me with excellent tutelage). At the same time Tom was competing at Grade 4 level with the "Mickleover Royal British Legion Pipe Band (Derbyshire)" for which he was grooming me up to play in. Due to the band folding i did not get a chance to compete although I did restructure the remnants of the band to form "The Grove Piping Society" with the help of Miss Heather Watson a very gifted young woman.
I joined the Seaforth Highlanders Association (Leicester Branch) in 1986 to 1988 in which time I seen Tom Foster and Johnny Johnson as Pipe Major. I played for 2 highland dancers who were in the band at the time Donna And Rachel. For a five year period I went up to Scotland religiously for piping instruction at the Summer School held in Stirling and one year held at Queens Margaret College, Edinburgh, all thanks to my good friend Heather. My piping tutors have included George Lumsden, Hugh MacCallum, Ronnie McShannon, Roddy McLeod and Willie MacCallum. It was at one of these summer schools where I met John Brown, who persuaded me to come to his band of which he was the secretary and teacher of the learner pipers "The Beeston & District Pipe Band Society", Grade 2,Pipe Major of the band was Pat Larkin. My first time out with the band was at the European Pipe band Championships in Stranrar on the 1989. While at Beeston an ex army piper Jim Cook, joined the band and asked me to help him run an Army Cadet School of Piping,of which I obliged.I stayed with the cadets for aprox 2 years at the rank of sergeant.	Arnhem Parade, Somerby Leading the War Veterans from service
Playing for a military service	In 1997 Beeston were downgraded to Grade 3, I stayed with them until January 1999 when i left them. I sat and passed my Elementary & Intermediate Piping Certificates In December 1999 i joined the "Scots Guards Association Pipe Band",Grade 2. They practice at the Victoria Barracks, Windsor. I left them in December 2000.
In October 2001 I contracted Severe Glandular Fever having to have two catheters put in,because my immune system was diminished i then got Epstein Barr Virus which stripped away the myolin from my nerves leaving me in a very bad state. 2002 was a complete wright-off Having none or very little sensation in my hands, feet and groin.Presently having fits/spasms with increased pain. In 2003 i hope to see enough improvement within myself to gradually get back on the pipes. March 2003, My Mum has had major brain surgery she has pulled through but condition not good. Ive had a major relapse trying to not let it get to me but it is a struggle. December 2003, Alot has happened since March, my Mum is sadly now in a home but is alot healthier (i never realised how much you can cry). Ive had accupuncture to combat fits and pain, family problems combined with another problem has made this a very trying year for me.	Hayley Mills & Myself
	2004 onwards Alot has happened since Dec 2003 14th February 2005 A day i have not recovered from, the day Hayley Mills my girlfriend for almost cheated on me. 1st January 2009 A long time has passed coming upto four years since last entry, I still love and miss Hayley more than anything in this world (every second of every day i think about her). Since she cheated on me on St Valentines Day, I have had highs and lows mainly lows.
17th January 2009 The last four months of 2008 seen me start my own piping group in Leicester, which i have a great group of learners. I have since bought a new set of bagpipes, a David Naill set with a Naill band chanter and just fitted it with a Moose Pipe Bag and a Ross Canister System with Shepherd Tone Enhancers. Ezeedrone Drone Reeds, I still have my 1965 RG Hardie pipes which i will be fitting a James Begg Sheepskin bag to shortly, currently a large Canmore bag Fitted with a Moose Valve, David Naill solo wooden chanter, MG Drone Reeds. Colin Winstanly Universal Blow Pipe. Currently playing Ross, Shepherd and Warnock Pipe Chanter reeds. February 2009 I took over as Pipe Major of the Leicestershire & Rutland County Royal British Legion Pipe Band, the has had to undergo a drastic shake up but all is going extremely well.

M & M Pipe Reeds From Stephen Megarity ROSS REEDMAKERS Warnock Seamless Staple Shepherd Pipe Chanter Reeds David Chesney The Red Practice Chanter Reed	KORG CA-40 Pipers Tuner Korg TM-40 Tuner Metronome The OT-120 Orchestral Tuner Airstream Blowpipe Aluminium Deluxe Flight Case An extra large pipe case that takes any moisture control system. 11.5" wide by 24" long and 7.5" deep. Ross Canister Protector http://www.college-of-piping.co.uk/acatalog/Pipe_Cases.html