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