Newsletter October 1986

This edition is from our archives, so it is presented as scanned pages rather than text.

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DECEMBER
6th Moorcock Band St Albans (Gill, Brueton Pk, N’castle
7th Blonzabella Hitchin Folk Club, Herts
12th St Georges Canzona Sidgmore Hall, London W.1
12th Blonzabella Weybridge Folk Club, Surrey
13th Blonzabella West End Centre, Aldershot, Hants
13th Lound & Border Pipers Soc. meeting, College of Piping,
20 Otago St, Glasgow (2-5pm)
13th Morhumrian Soc. Xmas party, Bridge Hotel
14th Cock & Bull Band Holmfirth, Yorks
18th Northumbrian The Telegraph, Orchard St, N’castle
18th Blonzabella Eagles & Child; or Forest Gate Stn,
London E. Xmas Party)
19th Blonzabella Arts Centre, Exeter
20th Blonzabella Pontadawl, Wales
20th Cock & Bull Band Mytholmroyd, Yorks
20th Kathryn Tickell Wandsworth
21st Kathryn Tickell Cheddar Folk Club
31st Blonzabella Cheading Bora Hall, Surrey

JANUARY
6th The Carnival Band Fareham/Bosport Arts Centre,
Cosbourne Rd, Farehan
7th Eynsford Royal Festival Hall (lunchtime)

THE
BAGPIPE SOCIETY

SEVENTH NEWSLETTER
October 1986

1986 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
By now, you should all have received notice of the 1986 AGM. Just to remind you, it’ll be held at the Courtyard Community Workshop, Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes on Saturday, November 15th at 6 pm next Sunday as previously announced.) We decided to make it coincide with the Reed Making Workshop (see below) as there are so likely to be quite a lot of senders present. No entry charges will be made for anyone who wants to go to the AGM only. Please bring your instruments so there should be time for a session afterwards.

The Committee is up for re-election and nominations are invited. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Jacqueline Cartrel, who is not standing for re-election as Treasurer for her hard work over the past year. Although the constitution requires only two ordinary members to be on the Committee, the present Committee feels that a few co-opted members would be of great assistance and would enable us to get a lot more done. Any offers? You needn’t, of course, wait until the AGM to volunteer as there’s a lot that needs doing right now! You won’t necessarily have to attend Committee meetings and where you live is not important. Please think about it.

Regrettably, the Committee has had to propose an increase in membership subscriptions of £2 per category (£1 for non-earning). This is not because we did our sums wrong but is for two main reasons:
– the large, six times yearly Newsletter was not originally allowed for but has proved such a popular feature of the Society that it would seem a shame not to revert to the original plan of a single page newsletter. This isssue in particular has somehow grown to 20 pages, whereas some times in ‘forecoming’ next year’s Newsletters will have to be a lot slimmer.
– fund raising has not been the success we had hoped.
There are other minor reasons such as initiation (postage if going up) and the balance between earning and non-earning members not being quite what we had expected. Hopefully most of you will support the increase. If you don’t, however, you have the right to vote against the proposal at the AGM either in person, by post or by proxy. By the way, the proposal included with the notice of AGM was in error! Sorry, but the first two categories should have read £7 and £9 respectively.

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For the above reasons, funds are now rather low thus preventing us free doing all that we would like. Can any of you help? Donations towards, of course, always welcome (every quid helps); recruiting core members, also always more funds so do fund raising events — how about organising something? Doesn’t even have to be to do with bagpiping (shoot mail me?). Help with printing, postage or stationery would also soon — would have to spend less (see separate help! articles). -

Remember, it’s your Society and the more money we have, the more we can do for you, really in the form of larger, more frequent Newsletters and Journals. Even if you feel you can’t help in any of the ways suggested, put your thinking caps on and see if you don’t come up with ideas (mailman) for alternatives for us to raise money for the Society. Many thanks to all of you who have either donated donations or have contributed to us personal fundraising such as busking -

REED MAKING WORKSHOP As stated above and in the last Newsletter, there will be a reed making workshop in November. There will also be a concert on the Friday night featuring leading lights in the bagpipe world. There are still 5 places available and anyone interested should contact John Ross, the Courtyard Community Workshop, Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes Tell -

MORE GAIDAS As reported in the last Newsletter, Paul Millar can obtain genuine Macedonian Gajdas if anyone is interested. Enzo Puzzo tells me he is doing the same but from Bulgaria. Enzo’s are obtainable in any key with a wild pipes drone and genuine whole goatskins bag for only £125. For £150 he can get pipes with 3-section drones in D/Gs. Both types of pipe come fully reeded and ready to play (see Membership list for addresses).

BAGPIPE FESTIVAL IN BRITAIN?! We recently received the following communication from Dave McQuade of Cleveland which should be of interest to all members:

“As well as playing and using Northumbrian pipes, I have a pipe making workshop in one of our local museums. It is only a shoppipe really - a means of bringing the Northumbrian pipe to the attention of Joe Public. The curator of this museum is particularly interested in folk music and for years ago asked me to arrange a Northumbrian Piping Festival. This turned out to be so successful that one has been held every year since. It is always held on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday and, although we cannot say all of the visitors on that particular day come to hear the pipes, we usually have in excess of 7000 for the day. The success is due in no small part to the fact that there is no admission charge and the Festival is very informal. The musicians dress in Victorian costume and busk

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in the Victorian street. In short, they blend in with the museum and become live exhibits.

The curator has now suggested that he would like another festi val to be held on August Bank Holiday Monday. As this would be a new off: more can than usual could be made available. We talked of putting on an International Bagpipe Festival. I put it to the curator that the Bagpipe Society had among its members, players of about 20 different types of bagpipe and that involving the Society would certainly be a lot cheaper than bringing groups from abroad. A festival this big would certainly attract a lot of attention and might help to put the Society on the map. The main aim as far as the museum is concerned is to provide something of interest to the public and therefore colourful costumes and folk dancing must play some part - it must not just be for bagpipe buffs!

The festival could be extended to include the whole bank holiday weekend. It need not be an informal as the Spring Festival and a stage and seating for the audience could be arranged. The curator is willing to listen to any reasonable proposals.

It is not a bad place to hold a bagpipe festival when you think about it. It is on the doorstep for Northumbrian pipers and not too far south for the Border and Highland pipers. I must admit, however, that it is a fair old trek for the other nucleus of players from the South. What do you think?”

Walt Davis, the Committee thinks it’s a “great idea! We have agreed that we should support the Festival and I am conducting preliminary liaison, he desperately need additional help in the organisation though. If you would like to be part of the festival as an organiser, steward, busker, audience or booked artist, please complete the enclosed questionnaire and send it to the Junk Yard”

Now we need to have a preliminary budget prepared by Christmas, if you want to be considered for a booking as a paid artist/band, remember that you will have to sell yourself for the event’s proceeds. Many known makers of bagpipes, folk, early music etc. perform - This means that even though you may be very well known in your own field, you could still be unknown to the people who control the budget. Take the opportunity to talk to all about yourself or your band. As far as bookings are concerned, the Society is acting early as a clearing house for its members.

You may like to be reminded that Whitby is just around the corner and its Folk Festival will take place the preceding week 22-26th August 1987. Whitby is an excellent festival with acts appearing and usually a lot of piping. This year there were 10 bagpipe workshops and the Marthaidurlan Pipers’ Society always hold a concert, which includes the Whitby Cup for a pug of Northumbrian pipes and one other instrument.

(Judy Tarry)

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NEW LOGO
Hope you all like the new Seagrape Society logo (top of page 13).
We’ve tended to get away from the conventional image of a bagpiper or a set of pipes. Instead, we’ve tried to find something which would cover any type of bagpipes, difficult, and it’s taken us a long time, but we think we’ve got it right now.

This summer, of course, that we can at last get our membership brochures and cards produced. You should be receiving them soon.

MEMBERSHIP
Have you passed the 101 103 to be exact, eight of whom are additional family members. This means that we now mail to 97 different addresses with two in Norway, two in France, one in Germany, five in Australia and now, among the latest batch, one in the USA and one in New Zealand. Here’s a list of all those who have joined since the last Membership List was issued.

Bill Coleman,
Phil Edwards,

Brian Bolton,
Rob Wallace,
Peter Davis,
Bob Cross,

Steve Mason,
Jim & Amy Graham,
Ian & Lin Morrison,
Stephen Wainman,
Geoff Wolff,
Malcolm Barnettish,
Erahma Dixon,

Simon Hooper,
Alan Birgulton,
George Featherstone,
Jim Boddum,
Jordan Vannin,

Tony Bingham,
Alex Eve,

Roly Scales,

Paul James,

Chris Miles,

Ian Clark, _________________________________

Our new member from New Zealand has sent a nice letter with his application which I’ve taken the liberty of including in our ‘Letters’ column as I think it makes very interesting reading and gives something of an insight into what is going on down there. Keep us informed Ken, and all the rest of you in foreign parts. It would be of enormous interest and help the Society a great deal if we had some indication of how strong the bagpipe scene is in other lands. Mind you, we’re only just beginning to get an inkling of how strong it is in the British Isles! Please write in.

ANYONE WE KNOW?
Chi Allen has found the following anecdote in a collection of children’s pearls of wisdom called ‘Word of Mouth’ by Nigel Rees (the Brekffti king):

“As a small boy, my brother was taken to Oxford Street by our mother. By passing up and down in the gutter as he played. My brother asked, ‘Why does mum walk up and down in papers?’ Mother said, ‘I don’t know dear, I can’t tell you’. After a pause for thought, my little brother concluded: ‘I expect he’s trying to get away from the noise he’s making.’ "

HAPPY EVENTS
To Frank and George Howard, a daughter Julia Rosemary, born 9.37 am 8th August 1986 - Bll 502

To Diana and Jean-Pierre, a boy: Nicolas Pierre Rastle, born 28th July 1986

Congratulations!

SIDOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL 1986
Returning home from a week at Sidmouth Folk Festival, a week of dance and music enjoyment. It is hard to believe it is over. You miss the complete involvement that the festival gives.

Sidmouth includes summer fun - everyday and allows you to fully participate as well as be just an onlooker. The numerous workshops are the main reason for this. I joined the ‘Absolute Beginners’ and at the end of six have had formed four bands and played for a dance in the drill hall. The callers workshop provided fifteen different callers and then enthusiasm from everyone was overflowing. The Otterby Band are to be congratulated. It was a great success and each member gave so much encouragement to us. Several adults and children attended a three hour a day practice for St Martha and the Organ with music by Alan Atterson. It was very moving and Jo Fraser sang beautifully as St Martha. Children from the music, morris, clog and maypole workshops had also learned

a great deal and we’re obviously enjoying it all.

The standard of dance was high, apart from Orange Juice in Southern France also brought us into their dances on the promenade through home brilliant efforts, the German National Trouble staged instead of Ghana and Tanzania. Although, on one shawl forget the political reasons for the Commonwealth boycott, it was a real privilege to witness their dignified and musically complex performances.

It is so exciting to have so many different bagpipers all week from Slovakia, Aber Jaber and Kathryn Tickell to Roshib, who attended all Sunday and various Ulsterman and Scottish pipers on the promenade.

Of course the rain was constantly with us and the financial situation is not good for the festival, but I hope support will be forthcoming from both Folk enthusiasts and institutions for although there are more festival every year, Sidney offers something different to much wider Spectrum, more dancer to player or singer and from professional to newest beginner. (Frances Webb)

RECORDS I’ve recently come across a record shop which you should all know about. It’s called Snithers and Leigh and is at 327-331 Oxford St, London WIR 1DG Tell 01-439 6352 (not far from Marble Arch tube on the South side). What’s so special? Well, lots actually. For a start, they have a huge Folk section and a equally huge Ethnic Section, both of which have many unusual bagpipe recordings, as well as the better known. The staff are extremely friendly, courteous and really do know what they’re talking about. Yes I did spend all day to list you hear what you’re interested in before you buy it. They take great delight in tracking down unusual records and are not put off when you don’t know the catalogue number. Nick Leigh who runs the Ethnic department tells me that they have a large selection of traditional music from all over the world and can supply by mail order and by credit card over the phone. They always welcome inquiries and, more importantly, suggestions from customers who may know of records they ought to

stick (especially if they’ve just returned from Abram by the way) as general distinctions, anythng from the British Isles is regarded as Folk and everything else as Ethnic but the two are so dog over lap I look in both if you can’t find what you want. STOP PRESS we’ve just heard that they’re starting a Bagpipe section with all the goodies together in one rack. This is magnificent news and is possibly due to badgering by your Committee members. If you lend this superb facility to continues, write to them now for a list or visit the shop (don’t forget to mention the Society).

Here’s a good record those new to piping might like to dig out (the rest of you will either already have it or have decided it’s not your thing). It’s called “Cornemaes” (Bagpipes) and is on the Hexagone label (285 038).

“Cornemaes” features a wide variety of bagpipes from the Central regions of France including the Chabrette Limousine, Musette Bécharnet, Grande Cornemuse à Pouce and Petite Musette à pouce, all expertly played by Jean Blanchard and Eric Montbel. The music is equally diverse featuring marches, airs, waltzes etc. as well as the mandatory bourrées. The general sound quality is excellent, the arrangements making it a particularly likable record. The inclusion of ghosts on hurdy-gurdy, melodeon etc. is discreet and in no interfere with the piping. It does, however, ensure that the record never falls into the levels of boredom so often reached by bagpipe-only records (carolige, remove this from the Committee immediately!). The gatofuld sleeve, in true Hexagone tradition, is a masterpiece and its own right being packed with information, photos etc. and is worth training and sticking on the wall. If only all specialist record labels would follow suit!

If you like French music but haven’t yet “got “Cornemaes”, or you haven’t heard any French piping and would like to get an earful, this is the record to turn you on.

BOOKS As promised, here’s another book you might like to add to your shelf. “La Cornemuse” (the Bagpipe) is currently available in this country in paperback as a French translation of an original work in Dutch by Belgian pipe/music historian Hubert Boone. In this 120 page book, Hubert discusses the many and varied types of bagpipe known to have existed in the Low Countries from Mediaeval time to within living memory. The work is thoroughly researched with detailed descriptions and dimensions of surviving instruments. Those instruments forever lost are examined mainly via the numerous paintings and drawings which depict them, many of which are reproduced in the book.

There are 35 illustrations, mainly of paintings but also some photographs and line drawings. There are also several musical examples and fingering charts. Don’t be put off even if you don’t speak a word of French (or Dutch if you can get half of the

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original) as the illustrations alone save the book worth having. But the level of French is fairly easy to read, even for the average level BrE. Here’s a tip: as you gloss through it, make a note of each technical term you come across. Certain words crop up repeatedly and are not always to be found in your typical French dictionary. I must assume, however, the context will help you establish the meaning.

What is evident from this book is that the local countries (and Belgium in particular) were arms for the richest areas even for bagpiping and that the “Broughal” Family bagpipe was only one of any types to be seen and heard over there.

“La Corrineuse” can be obtained from Terry Bingham, at £1 not

sure of the present price but I paid £4.50 a couple of years ago, Terry also stocks a number of other bagpipe books, including those conventional last with the Meibach one, plus a large selection of books on all aspects of music.

HELP 1! Is this a anyone prepared to help with printing and mailing the Newsletter? It’s a fairly simple job which only comes around every two months, so but it’s a waiting point now so unless help is forthcoming– something will have to give. Costings is important as it can post the copy with a set of pre-printed address labels to whoever is willing to undertake the job. All you would need is a to find a cheap local printer or photocopier. But, ideally, I would like someone who either has access to or owns a litho printer of good quality photocopier as this would save the Society quite a lot of money. Each Newsletter costs around 500 to print at present and any savings we can make on this price will be used to give you, the members, a better service.

HELP 2: Is there anyone with a decent computer and printer who would be prepared to assist me in my membership secretary duties? As above, geographical location is unimportant. We need to be able to keep all members’ records on film plus a separate file for address labels.

The main file would need to be updated every so often (an average of about 10 new members a month at present) then a master printed disc about twice yearly so that we can print and send out new lists to members. A few members (three to date) have requested that we do not keep their details on a computer file so their details would need to be entered each time the list is published. Again, not a great deal of work but enough to alleviate your hard-working Secretary’s load!

BAGPIPE SOCIETY SINFONIA Did you enjoy the prospect of playing tunes last summer? There is or is bagpipers at Newbury this year? Were you part of it and thought to worth continuing this? Hopefully, overalls of the Bagpipe Sinfonia 2011 start this autumn in the London area. Too far to a travel? Well, why not start a local group using the same music? Then maybe we could all get together at ABEM, (festivals Amencaste, Newbury?) etc. Initially we will continue to work on the tunes used at Newbury but new suggestions and arrangements (suite of tunes for orchestra bagpipes and percussion?) would be extremely welcome. At Newbury, we had a wide variety of pipes in B and C both loud and soft, the melody lying B most of the times, with the percussion to keep us together. There is no reason why bagpipers if other keys could not be incorporated – not all playing at the same time, but to provide tonal colour and variety to a suite of tunes (how about Highland in A with Flemish in D for instance?), and even instruments in non-concert pitch could probably be accommodated (the odd solo huret or working together for longer sections (e.g. Northumbrian pitch). The possibilities are endless and suits existing when you think about it, especially in terms of the new ground we could break then about ‘Dueling Bagpipes?). If you are still waiting for pipes, join us on percussion – we can probably find a few spare drums!

The Society is unable to fund running costs at this stage so it is proposed to levy a £1 ‘subscription’ on those wishing to participate to cover the cost of postage, photocopying music etc. to keep you informed. Moneys to Judy Terry.

If we have to hire a hall, there may be a small charge levied at each rehearsal, but hopefully we may be able to avoid this. We hope to actually take the Sinfonia to the public possibly busking on the South Bank with a floor spot at, say, the Chestnuts Folk Club in the evening. There are also several Radio and TV arts and magazine programmes which would be only too glad to give us a spot… any more ideas?

I am willing to be temporary national co-ordinator but have reached my work load limit and need at least one London helper (and lots elsewhere!) to administrate the proceedings, book a hall, arrange dates etc. The first volunteer will get a star prize.

Finally, what thoughts on a name (the one proposed Bagpipe Society Sinfonia, is only a suggestion?) I give up, having spent the last nine months trying to find a name for three bands. Help… (Judy Terry)

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LETTERS
Here are the first two of what I hope will be many letters for publication in the Newsletter. Please write in on any subject. Playing or maintenance tips, criticism (or praise!) of the Society, amusing anecdotes or just telling us about yourselves. We may not be able to put them all in but we’ll try. The Editor makes the usual disclaimer about the Society not necessarily agreeing with what is said and reserves the right to shorten if necessary.

Dear Bagpipe Society,
As a founder member of the Alnwick branch of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society way back in 1953, I have always had a “thing” about pipes of “all sorts”. I am now retired, having brought my wife and kids to Coldstream in 1955 and am hoping to further my interests in the pipes, be they ‘cold’ or ‘warm-air driven’.

I made a set of Northumbrian smallpipes out of bits of lignum vitae and teak about 10 years ago, followed by a set of Half-longs in Australian Slaw gum and deer antler tips, and am about to start on a full set of Irish uilleann (can get enough Blackwood). A few years ago I did some restoration work on a set of Egan Irish pipes held in Arrowtown Museum, to a ‘reasonable playing condition’ (the set, originally being a ‘flat’ set, has unfortunately been partly modified (long ago) to play in a higher pitch. I’m hoping to get working barrels of a true Egan design. I have a set of Highland pipes too and a very old B & M, a pestle chanter, a lase oron from my own Arund Domain for needs.

I also have a 16-key Burliegh set of Northumbrians which I have demonstrated on occasion to the many Highland pipers of Canterbury and Christchurch.

My interest has been primarily to “spread the gospel”, and Paul Yulel — and I am equally concerned about the formation of bullion-blown piping society. I have also met Alistair Anderson and Hubert Wraithnut on their travels.
Ken Clark (ex RIAN & RGSON),

Dear Bagpipe Society,
July’s Newsletter invites ‘beginners’ to forward views and experience with bagpipes. As one who has been taking an interest in the lesser-known pipes for only about two years, and who said his 13-key Northumbrian smallpipes for a set of Praetorius in F, I suppose fell into that category.

Firstly, I am pleased to take a strong interest in such pipes mainly because of their history, tradition, sound, craftsmanship and overall ‘excitability’ — and importantly because it is important for me to get away from the more strict traditions of other pipes. Don’t get me wrong, I love Uilleann, Gael and Scottishman! Highland pipes. I have all the respect in the world for the Chiefs ‘instrument, Battlefield Band, Dougnan and Alistair Anderson, but feel such istraditional somewhat intimidating and too competitive. I am therefore delighted that the Bagpipe Society has come about.

So, with Praetorius under my arm, and under the sound guidance of Jim Yure who twisted bits of the pipes and reeds, I have managed to become accustomed to my first set of mouth-blown pipes, and very nice they are too! Isn’t F an odd key though?

Having jumped on the piping bandwagon, I wrote to Jon Swayne asking for a catalogue. I am now paying glad I get so - below-cost - about half - a - dozen in. However, after a visit to the most cascading Mr Swayne in Somerset who played a few tunes on his set, as well as the mighty Fionna, I have absolutely no regrets at all and impatience sets in more and more going to his waiting list.

To finish, are there any musicians who would like to form some sort of group? I play flute, bassoon, bodhrán, mandolin, mandola and whistles too, and take an interest in both traditional and ‘explorative’ music. They could have to be around Cambridge. I hope to meet some of you at either Milton Keynes or Newbury.
Duncan Moss.

Edi’s notes! I’m only an odd key for those of us who move in British ‘Folk’ circles. The Praetorius pipes are marketed by the Early Music Shop, presumably for Early Music devotees, who play it E and F, 1st rather than the ‘modern’ British Folk Standard ‘bags at D and G (it’s all to do with 6-finger or 7-finger key notes — think about it!). It also is supposedly historically correct according to ‘Praetorius’ ‘Syntagma Musicum’, the book from which the replica sets are conceived. Still, I can’t help but think that E&S would sell an awful lot more bagpipes if they produced a DD set as well!

Dear Bagpipe Society,
I’ve just returned from Galicia and Aragon and thought you might be interested in how I got on. The Galta in Galicia is going great guns; it’s very widely played and everyone seems aware of it and interested in it. Mind you, they aren’t all keeping what I would bring a Cornish or English bagpipe; my Galta was a bit ‘Cans’ to Northcastle, especially as they’ve got 12 year olds who could make no look like re-baginers (which is true). I saw and a small Galta school of 12-15 year olds about 15 players, one Basca (big drum), two tamborres (small drum + triangle) and one of the quares ones you beat on your chest (forgot its name).

One thing I didn’t know was that some Galtas have more than the usual single bag drone, some have a small 2nd butted lines across the right wrist, tuned to the fifth, with a few have even got a tiny third drone squeaking low alongside the fifth.

I’d heard there was also a Galta Aragonés which I eventually get to see at a 20 a side ‘Morris’ dance (so similar in steps and sticking
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to English Murin that there must be a cultural link somewhere). The Gaitas however were pretty degenerate rubber-mouthed instruments with one clumsy drone and a chanter that wasn’t even true to itself. I gathered that there weren’t real Gaitas of Aragon, which have a tiny drone in the same stock as the chanter. I am now able to throw any light on the existence, morphology and repertoire of a distinct Aragonés Gaita? I’d be interested if they can.

Will Cooke, St Austell, Cornwall

FOR SALE Practice or Villannin pipes. Redwood, 2—keyed chanter, ivory mountings. Perfect condition, hardly used. Bargain offer, £100 or part exchange for English/French bagpipes considered.
Frances Webb, __________________________

Remember, we will place members’ ads (whether for bagpipes or not) free of charge. For trade ads, a small charge will be made.

Don’t forget that we charge very reasonable rates for block ads in this Newsletter (£3 per quarter page, £5 per half page; £7 per whole page in A5, for the duration). (Chanter = the reeds are a little higher but still excellent value (£6 per quarter page, £10 per half page £14 per whole page in A5). We can produce your graphics for you at very competitive rates.

MAKERS’ SPOT

This issue we’ve got Dave Shaw under the microscope. Dave has been playing in dance bands since 1970 and took up pipes and drones making around 1978. As a result of his earlier experiences playing melodion in crowded noisy local sessions, both the instruments he makes and the music he plays on them vary somewhat from the established Northumbrian tradition. His instruments are rather loud by smallpipe standards and his playing owes very much also to his Irish musical apprenticeship.

In many other ways too, Dave deviates from the Northumbrian norm. His pipes generally hark back to the earlier types having open-ended drones (with a plug stopper attached to the tuning bead). In Dave’s opinion, this gives a stronger, more stable sound. On his whistle drone pipes he provides an open-ended chanter as well and will supply the time for his conventional drone pipes if required.

While all his pipes carry a standard set of drones, he doesn’t use them in the normally accepted way. He says ‘You can’t stop in a session or the middle of a dance to retune, so I tune the drones D, G and A for playing in D and G. It can sound a little odd at first

but people on the outside rarely notice the difference. For minor keys I use B, A and D. It seems more a bit of stick in competitions and ‘tuned’ circles but I like it and it’s very practical’ When he means the ‘tunes etc’, I’m not sure whether he means the sound or the stick, a bit of each I suspect! Even his bellows are not quite what we’re all used to, being slung bandulier fashion instead of by the usual waist strap. He says that many old pictures show this method and he finds it very comfortable; easy to get in and out of and just as positive as a waist band. But Dave’s unorthodoxies don’t end with the outward trappings. He strongly believes in the use of local materials. As he says, pipe makers in early days wouldn’t necessarily have had access to cane such as grown almost exclusively for their reeds or tools such as internally-ground gouges. With this philosophy in mind he has spent some time in researching fully alder-reeded pipes (tyes including double reeds!) which along the made mainly by alludes anyone using a few scrapers and an iron. Hopefully we’ll be able to persuade Dave to tell us more in a future ‘Chanter’ article.

Dave makes Northumbrian Smallpipes in G or F (‘2-keyed’) for £290 or in D for £405, with extra keys at £17.50 each. His shuttle drones pipes are normally in D or F and are £260. His plain chanter Smallpipes (open-ended, no keys) are £220 and his Half-longs in G, a — on are £295. Dave also makes Muteettes de Cour (price on application) and an easy-blowing, two octave ‘sort of’ Bombarde in D with a thumbhole (for recorder player!) for only £40. Woods used are usually box, laburnum, lignum Vitae, African blackwood etc, with imitation ivory (telfen and mahogany bells). Dave can be contacted at ______________.

If you are a maker and would like to list members know what you have on offer, send me details and I’ll see you get a mention (free unless you want a block ad, as well — see advertising rates).

WHO DOES WHAT Although this is an items which goes in every Newsletter, please read this one as things are now a little different. Newsletter – all items to the Secretary (Dave VanBooren) Newsletter Diary – all dates to Stefan Hannigan who now has a new address/phone: _______________

Journals - all items and ads to the Editor (Peter Stacey) who now has a new address/phone: ________________

Membership forms and payment – Dave Vanbooren
Publicity - offers of help, requests for membership forms etc to the Publicity Officer (Judy Tarpy) Discography – information to Stefan Hannigan Regional Co-ordination – queries and offers of help to Chi Allen

CELEBRITY CONCERT
As stated in the last Newsletter, the society has organised a Celebrity Concert as a fundraising event. We were unable to get the Arts Centre in Oxford open new months early, so we have instead decided to save the whole event to London. The event is going under the name of “The Bagpipe Society at Lauderdale House”. Lauderdale House is one of the most desirable concert venues in London, and being a large old house in Waterlow Park it helps create just the right kind of atmosphere for an event of this kind.

Entries booked to appear are Jon Swayne, Paul James, Jean-Pierre Rasle, Peter Stacey and John Aggs; All appearing or giving their own trap sets so that no profits can be maximised for the society. Please, please support this event to help get away for the Society and to support those artists who have so kindly donated their services!
Volunteers are still needed to act as ushers/ticket takers etc. but you’ll still have to buy a ticket as we need every penny for the Society. Please put December 5th in your diary if you’re likely to be anywhere near London that Friday!

REGIONAL NEWS
John and Frances Webb have kindly offered to organise things in Cornwall and Devon. If you are interested or would like to help, you can contact them at 3 St Olaves Avenue, Plymouth PL5 1AS or phone 01752 244811.

If you are in or around the Manchester area, Brian and Sylvia Radford would be pleased to hear from you. They should also be holding a meeting very soon. Please phone Brian on 061 788 0024.

We’ve had one or two enquiries (well, three actually) as to where the London meetings have gone. They should be back soon. If you ring me (Ash Allen) after October 10th, I’ll give you the news.

Finally, if you feel like having a go at a local meeting, concert, fete, revolution etc., don’t be shy! All interest in the Society is local and regional affairs are really welcome. You can contact me at:
Ash Allen
65 Swynnerton Road
London Colney
Herts. AL2 1PJ
Tel. 0727 844135

THE BAGPIPE SOCIETY
at
LAUDERDALE HOUSE
Highgate Hill, London N6
FRIDAY DEC 5
8pm

Jon Swayne Scottish/Breton
Paul James English/renaissance
Jean-Pierre Rasle French/Breton
Peter Stacey English/transiemense
John Aggs Scottish/Irish
and surprise guest

Tickets £1/2 cones
++ both sides from Ash Allen

better still, bring your ideas to the AGM where we can sort things out a bit.
(Ash Allen)

BAGPIPES
We’ve still got some of the little red “I Love Bagpipes” badges. Quite a lot of you have bought these and are sporting them on your pipes, lapels, underwear etc. If you’d like one (or as many as you want), send a stamped addressed envelope to Ash Allen (address above) plus 35p per badge. This price covers the cost of the badges and a small profit for the Society. If you don’t think it’s worth sending a cheque for 35p, then stamps will do (but ask them solid donations as we can use them for mailing).

FANDOM NOTES (IN AN AUSTRIAN KEY
I’ve recently bought a dust extractor dry personal Astral Vortex witch can snort up virtually every substance known, tarred and waxy at the end of the day I heal it. A bowl about the heworths come close up. Findings are going missing. Where is my 13/32 drill bit? My trap heater? My square needle file? Bigger things are going my way too a border book. The Chemotrope and a feast of Sharons very best brown Windsor hops. It’s really effective - my workshop is getting far less cluttered with things.

But it hasn’t cleared away any of the deep thoughts, brilliant ideas and terribly inaccurate suggestions that clutter the place and make it so hard to get any real work done. And so I’ve decided to put some on paper and parcel them off to our time-honoured Secretary for inclusion in the Newsletter.

Our honoured President has confided to me that when he needs a mental break in the Workshop, he has a blast on his Gardening Loudspipes, I like the idea - but making my Loudspipes have invested in a Wlagogg Cushion. At the first sign of my brain addling, I find a few quick hits very effective. It irritates (sic) the brain and alleviates some of the dull despair that is the lot of the bagpipe seeker.

Is anyone researching bard? Does anyone have any details, plans, historical references and, of course, field recordings? Have they been made in consort? Next year at Newbury I intend to lead an advanced Workshop. Cushion workshops. We’ll rehearse a piece for the concert. I’d like one in tow B.

I’m hoping to give up bagpipe making, but can’t afford to at present. The way to make lots and lots of money is to latch onto a craze

page 14 page 15

before it becomes a craze. I remember hula hoops, yoyos, clickers, frisbees, skateboards. Currently it’s bagpipes. I’m happy it will just be this craze, but I’m prepared for the next one. I know this will be a shock to you, but the future lies in Blader Pipes. They are not well known at present (there is one on David Marrow LP) but soon they will be a household buzz. I’m not going to apply my hands here to the leaders - I hope to get the first expert of my newly established Blader Pipe Society. We all of this society is to promote and disseminate information about this instrument. Semi-ars and conferences will be planned, dues and the annual contact-keeping funding sought, Membership will give entitlement to a vast range of privileges, not yet finalised. The quarterly Journal, entitled “Blader Matters” will be thoroughly definitive, full colour and very lavish. All submissions and articles must be paid for by their author before they will be considered for inclusion. Currently I am Chairman, Editor and Membership Secretary of the Blader Pipe Society. My hunt no rift-raff in the Society - membership is £52 per year. No concessions - all cheques made out to me.

Currently I am on the threshold of a development so totally revolut- ionise bagpiping, as we know it. This is terribly hush-hush so don’t you breathe a word about it to anyone outside the Bagpipe Society.

It’s called “Goodacre’s Pipes” and it’s the real stuff! Pipes - just consider its features. It will be odourless, colourless and moderately priced. A pleasing additive to tea or cheap Welsh claret. Used as a bag seasoning it will seal up to 7 holes. It vapour contains “Domaxato” - a powerful umatic (sic) relagent and cane toner. The vapour escaping from the chanter will relax the player’s fingers, allowing music to be played faster and with more feeling. As a cane toner, “Domaxato” acts on the fibres of cane reeds making them softer, more pliant (sic!) and stable - scraping reeds will be a thing of the past!

Handy stuff you may say - but that’s not all! “Goodacre’s Pipes” expands and contracts in response to sound waves and a small sear of it in each chanter hole will ensure that each note will stay constantly in pitch.

Naturally, there have been problems developing it - a fundamental side effect to be ironed out. Currently, its steam can both be de- cribed as vile (less of a problem on bellows-bells) with pipe-pan “Bonanzas”, also appears to have hallucinogenic qualities: I experience considerable problems with large pupils, altered “Goodacre’s Pipes” also can spam fanatically. Combats thin clips of smoke from pipebox last Thursday led me to discover the charred remains of a cherished Cabrette.

But I feel confident that these and some of the other side effects will be overcome shortly and that I will be able to make energetic amounts of money exploiting it here and abroad. Watch this column for further developments.

(Julian Goodacre)

More random notes from Julian in the next issue of the Newsletter.

page 16

BIAST It has been suggested that we don’t give enough space to the more common types of bagpipes from the Highlands, where you all that no bias is intended! It’s just that we don’t seem to get much input about the more popular bagpipes. Perhaps it’s because they’re still served already by other specialists or publications. Still, we’d like to put the matter right, so if you have any dates, information, tips, tunes etc. get in touch with me (for the Newsletter) or Peter Stacey (for “Chanter”). We can only print what we’re supplied with.

HAVE WE MISSED YOU? As a result of the recent changeover in membership enrolments and duties (see previous item), we fear it’s just possible that someone may have slipped through the net. If you joined recently but have not yet received a copy of “newsletter”, “Chanter” and a Membership List, please contact me and I’ll put matters right immediately.

EVEN MORE USELESS FACTS WITH WHICH TO BORE YOUR FRIENDS According to Timotheo H. Pedrosa in his book “Bagpipes and Tunings”, players of the Spanish Gaita de Foles tune their drones to A# while playing in B……..hmm?!

In Sardinia, the local bagpipe has no bag (honest!). The Launeddas (yes, it really does exist) consists of two or drone and two chanters all stuffed into the player’s mouth at once. By using circular breathing (sort of using the cheeks as a bag), the player can play continuosly and achieves a totally bagpipe-like effect. The music is quite beautiful but does go on a bit!

The Musette Bichonnet from Central France is not named after a region (as are most bagpipes) but after its inventor, Joseph Bichonnet 1938?-1900 who sold five pipes over a wide area. The name is perpetuated by a number of modern French makers who are continuing the tradition by making Bichonnet-style pipes.

According to Graham’s Encyclopedia of 1888, the last recorded player of English bagpipes (other than Northumbrian) was John Hunsley at Manton, North Lincs who was playing just prior to 1880 (at least).

It’s said that the extensive use of African Blackwood for Highland pipe chanters from the last century when stips would boil out of the cleft stems the heavy machinery bound for the colonies in Africa and return with the heavy blackwood as ballast. The ‘uselees’ wood was dumped on the “Rock of Arrosay”, including pipe makers, to take away for free (imagined! Wonder if there’s any left).

page 17

THE OLD DRONE’S TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

A flair placed beneath the blade of a single reed will often cure low pressure/blowing closure. Bowl is better than hemp.

Do not try to sort out suspected troublesome reeds or pipes until you are certain that all parts of your instrument are fully airtight. Seal all openings but the blowpipe with corks taped with very thin polythene then ventilate the bag) should be as light as a football! Leaks can be detected with spirit or soap solution.

Check your bellows separately with the reed plugged, it should be almost impossible to operate the beater. Leaks can be covered by the following: parried bag or bellows leather or rubber (usually must be replaced); leaky stitching or dried leather (reseams the bag or bellows); bad tying on or perished cord (renew); leak valve in blowpipe and/or bellows (renew), or split wood (replace).

The very thin polythene used by drailooners makes an excellent bag inner lining (outskirts cotton cover and leathers). It is often desirable to have an inner liner, particularly when you’ve just smeared the bags with warm seasoning, penetration is limited causing ruined covers and/or clothes. This troubles us, most polythene sheet is stiff and makes a horrible crackling sound) with a drycleaner polythene, you’ll hardly know you’re using it.

A ’tired’ or badly made chanter reed will often play all but one or two notes correctly. These can sometimes be corrected by judicious application of metal/taper across the top edge of the offending hole. If notes get progressively flatter (compared with a standard pitch), the reed is probably not shaved far enough into the reed socket; if progressively sharper, the reed is probably pushed too far in.

Keeping a chanter in tune is never an easy job, particularly for a bowing person with little woodwind or more symphonic players you’ve just never sure if it is you or the instrument. The only essential advice on this one is to try to get an experienced player to try your pipes out if you think you’ve got problems. But beware! Unless he plays the same sort of pipes as you, he may decide they’re out of tune when in fact they are merely tuned to a scale other than his own - but that’s another story!

The tuning bridle on single reeds is used to control the pitch and stability of the drone cap (chanters are not 1 (for Eastern European types). The bridle’s task can be assisted by the application of wax to the end of the blade toe (flatten) or the careful removal of a small amount of cane with a razor blade to sharpen.

                             (The Old Drone)

                                                      page 18

More advice for beginners from the Society’s oldest member (in the news issue of the Newsletter. If you have any problems you think the old ‘un might be able to sort out, or any hints or advice the beginners you’d like him to pass on, just contact me, the Editor.

                            DIARY

OCTOBER Ti-Jaz, a superb Breton group on tour over here, have the following October dates: 25th Meat End Centre, Aldershot 26th Chestnuts, Walthamstow, London E15 27th Yesteryear, Bristol 28th Leisure Centre, Bridgend, S. Wales 29th Oxford 30th Arts Workshop, Newbury 31st Arts Centre, Exeter

31st Moorcock Band, Beamish & W.Deleton Club, Beamish, Durham

NOVEMBER 1st Northumbrian Alnwick Gathering 1st Blowzabella Shrewsbury! 1st Ti-Jaz Prema Valley, Gloss. 2nd Kathryn Tickell The Maltings, Farnham Surrey (plus 3 Mustaphas J’s) 3rd Pencuadr 7 Rencontre Band Witney Folk Club 7th Jean-Pierre Rasle Saffron Walden Folk Club 7th Blowzabella Metropole Arts Centre, Hastings 12th Blowzabella Durham (workshop & dance) 13th Moorcock Band Consett Village Hall, Co. Durham 14th Northumbrian Kings Hall, Newcastle University 15th Reedhausko Milton Keynes Concert Fri. evening Workshop with Jon Swayne, Peter Stacey, J-P Rasle (see separate article) 15th Cock & Bull Band Brewers Arts Centre, Kendal 18-22th Kathryn Tickell Hong Kong 20th Northumbrian The Telegraph, Orchard St, N’castle 21st Northumbrian Morpeth Gathering 21st Moorcock Band Stanhope Town Hall, Co. Durham 27th Noise of Minstrels Sutton Estuary, Mendonis Way 28th Pencuadr Band All Saints Hall, Langley Pk, Durham 29th Blowzabella Oxford 29th Noise of Minstrels Market Porter, Sidney St., London SEI 29th Moorcock Band Fyndoun School, Scariston, Co.D’ham 29th Cock & Bull Band 8thn Electricity Club, Vernon, Ocean 30th Blowzabella Chelmsford Folk Club, Essex 30th Kathryn Tickell Battlestead Folk Club

                                                      page 19