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Ellesmere Highland Pipe Band (after WW2)
Description
NameEllesmere Highland Pipe Band (after WW2)
DescriptionAfter the WWII Alister Reid facilitated a public meeting on 27 May 1946 in the A&P Room.
Officers elected were; Patron R.T. McMillan, President, J.J. Allan, Secretary Doug Hutchison, Treasurer, Dave White (snr). Jimmy Allan of Dunsandel was a former New Zealand Champion solo piper,
An approach was made to Pipe Major J.A. Patterson, of the City Of Christchurch Pipe Band, to tutor the band and a long association ensured. The drummers at this early stage were taught by Drum Sergeant J. Giffiths, also of the City Band.
Patterson insisted that they enter the Provincial Championship at Methven in December 1946.
Through 1947, 1948 and 1949 intensive drill practice took place. Rapid progress was made.
District support for the band was evident when they travelled to the New Zealand Championships at Dunedin in 1948 when 50 supporters travelled south as well.
At the New Zealand Championships in New Plymouth in 1949 the outstanding results included 1st test selection, 3rd quickstep, 2nd grade 2 aggregate. The trophies were proudly displayed in the window of the Leeston Farmers Co-op.
In 1956 they gained 1st street march and 1st quickstep. The latter event was so close to perfection that the officials requested that the band repeat it the following day for the public.
Playing Christmas carols at many of the houses in Ellesmere, grain growing, squash picking, stock sales, raffles, hare drives, donations and grants combined with district support has kept the band going.
In the 1960’s player numbers dropped but more joined the band in the 1970s and it won both the 1978 Provincial and National grade 3 championships.
The band remained in good heart attending contests up and down New Zealand through to the 1980s.
Despite leaner years that followed a solid group of bandsmen kept the band serving the district.
At present learner classes for both pipers and drummers look very promising, and experienced players are joining.
There have been many members who have given long years of service both in active playing and administration spanning 40-50-60 years.
Life members included Ivie Gilbert, Selwyn Boon, Barry Powell, Robert Adams, Ian Jones, Owen Grant and Colin Patterson.
DescriptionAfter the WWII Alister Reid facilitated a public meeting on 27 May 1946 in the A&P Room. Officers elected were; Patron R.T. McMillan, President, J.J. Allan, Secretary Doug Hutchison, Treasurer, Dave White (snr). Jimmy Allan of Dunsandel was a former New Zealand Champion solo piper,
An approach was made to Pipe Major J.A. Patterson, of the City Of Christchurch Pipe Band, to tutor the band and a long association ensured. The drummers at this early stage were taught by Drum Sergeant J. Giffiths, also of the City Band.
Patterson insisted that they enter the Provincial Championship at Methven in December 1946.
Through 1947, 1948 and 1949 intensive drill practice took place. Rapid progress was made.
District support for the band was evident when they travelled to the New Zealand Championships at Dunedin in 1948 when 50 supporters travelled south as well.
At the New Zealand Championships in New Plymouth in 1949 the outstanding results included 1st test selection, 3rd quickstep, 2nd grade 2 aggregate. The trophies were proudly displayed in the window of the Leeston Farmers Co-op.
In 1956 they gained 1st street march and 1st quickstep. The latter event was so close to perfection that the officials requested that the band repeat it the following day for the public.
Playing Christmas carols at many of the houses in Ellesmere, grain growing, squash picking, stock sales, raffles, hare drives, donations and grants combined with district support has kept the band going.
In the 1960’s player numbers dropped but more joined the band in the 1970s and it won both the 1978 Provincial and National grade 3 championships.
The band remained in good heart attending contests up and down New Zealand through to the 1980s.
Despite leaner years that followed a solid group of bandsmen kept the band serving the district.
At present learner classes for both pipers and drummers look very promising, and experienced players are joining.
There have been many members who have given long years of service both in active playing and administration spanning 40-50-60 years.
Life members included Ivie Gilbert, Selwyn Boon, Barry Powell, Robert Adams, Ian Jones, Owen Grant and Colin Patterson.
Photographer S A Bremford, Timaru ,
Courtesy of Colin Patterson
Ellesmere Historical Society EHS-0134
Connections
CollectionOutdoor Bands in EllesmereOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyEllesmere Highland Pipe Band (after WW2). Selwyn Stories, accessed 27/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6485