History

The Band was founded in October 1960 by a small group of former members of the Scottish Regimental Association of Yorkshire Pipe Band (The Yorkshire Jocks) during a meeting at a well known Yorkshire Public House in Leeds.

Formed as a self supporting, none profit making organization to encourage the interest in the music and culture of Scotland, they quickly formed an association with the Leeds Scottish Country Dance club and were able to provide an added attraction with the dancer’s performances.

Having caught the eye of a Wrestling Promoter who had formed a Scottish Wrestling Team touring Yorkshire, Lancashire and the North of England, he invited the Band to provide Pipers to lead the wrestlers into the Ring. These engagements provided the firm base from which the Band was able to obtain publicity and finance the provision of equipment.

By now the Band had attracted the support of many varied organizations and engagements followed. During 1961 30 engagements we fulfilled. By 1962 there were 16 playing members and many repeats of engagements from previous years were forthcoming.

Various items of uniform were purchased in addition to a complete set of new Drums and 12 matched Hardie Chanters. These essential item were necessary to enable the band to prepare fully to realize the ambitions to become not only an entertainment band ,but also a successful competing band.

During 1964 the Band became members of the Scottish Pipe Band Association now Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association), and entered their first competition which was organized by the N.W. England branch at Chorley. Engagements were plentiful and varied and by 1965 membership had reach a total 25 and we had started to reach the prize list in competition.

The next target was to improve the appearance of the band and to this end new kilts, plaids ,tunics and feather bonnets were purchased and badges designed and made by our leading drummer Bob Webster.

Our reputation continued to spread and appearances on the TV programmes Opportunity Knocks and the Good Old Days from the City Varieties theatre and the Scottish Wrestling Team provided good publicity.

The Band was sorry to lose the services of P/Sgt William Bell who joined Pontefract Pipe band as Pipe Major at the end of 1969.A former member of the Glasgow Shepherds Pipe Band, Bill was one of the driving forces behind the Bands progress in competition, the highlight of which was achieving 1^st place in the Grade 4 at the Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the 5 Major competitions for Pipe Bands.

In the early 1970s more successes in competition and regarding to Grade3 followed. Meanwhile the band continued to flourish and the learners class, held in conjunction with the then Leeds Education Committee, and which had started in the early days of the formation, was providing a constant source of pipers to replace leavers, and some very loyal band members they proved to be. In fact 3 of these pupils from the 60s are still active playing members today.

This class still exists today, however it is now run entirely by the Band each Monday evening.

1972 saw Leeds United returned from Wembley with the F.A. Cup and the Band was there to greet them. In subsequent years we also played at Elland Road Ground for the Benefit matches arranged for the great players Jack Charlton, Billy Bremner and Peter Lorimer.

Leeds City Council introduced a Lord Mayors parade during this period and we were part of this parade for many years. We also took part in a variety of new events including various fund raising events for the Variety club of Great Britain and the Northern Horse Show. A visit to Dortmund, twinned with Leeds, to join their 1100 yrs celebration was a success as was the visit to one of the local breweries. Shortly after our return to Leeds we were accorded a Civic Reception by the Lord Mayor.

In more recent years we have concentrated on being an entertainment band. We have a continuing demand for our appearance at many Carnivals and Galas during the summer months throughout North and South Yorkshire in addition to the local events in West and East Yorkshire.

We are proud of our past achievements and are determined to continue creating the opportunities for learners to achieve their ambitions. Current membership is 21 playing members and a very active beginner’s class. It was with great pleasure that we welcomed into the ranks of the band our youngest drumming recruit Natasha, who joins her Mother and Grandfather in the Drum Corps.

Last year, 2010, we celebrated our 50^th anniversary and look forward to being able to continue to fulfil the objectives of our founding members so many years ago.