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Nwicker60
12-Jul-11, 20:48
Pipe band beat the weather blues for a brilliant finish to their annual week
LADY LUCK looked favourably on Wick RBLS Pipe Band and despite atrocious weather conditions elsewhere, gave them a weather window for the grand finale to their fundraising week-the ever-popular fancy dress parade in Market Square.
Relieved band secretary, John Bogle admitted that they had been none too optimistic during Saturday afternoon, as thunder rumbled, and rain fell as they were preparing for the closing attraction which also featured Highland dancing.
However conditions eased, and the ground was dry when the band, which had swapped its formal tartan attire for a variety of fancy dress, marched into the Square, watched by a big crowd. The band had been forced to cut short its Wednesday night parade due to rain but were able to complete its performance, on Saturday night, without further interruption from the weather.
Speaking after the band marched off after their hour-long performance, Mr Bogle said that that he had been “very worried” about the week’s final event and with rainy conditions in other parts of the county and the country, feared it might have to be switched inside to their base, the pipe band hall.
He reported that receipts for the week had reached the £4000 mark by lunch-time on Saturday with the takings for the final attraction still to be counted.
The pipers' trail, which took the band to Keiss, Watten and Thrumster didn’t attract the same numbers of spectators as in previous years, probably due. in part, to adverse weather, but still netted the band a grand total of £180. Band busking in the town centre maintained the financial returns of the previous year. Prize bingo grossed £1,210 and the opening Saturday night parade in glorious weather netted £280 in collections.
Mr Bogle paid tribute to the continued loyalty and generosity from the public essential to keeping the band in existence and said that the support was particularly important, this year, given the £5000 cost involved in the visit to Badwalsee, in Germany, last month.

Piping hot birthday wishes

ONE wee boy got a surprise birthday treat when his mum took him to hear his favourite band on the opening Saturday parade of the week.
For the band interrupted their programme to wish local lad, Craig Malcolm (6) “ happy birthday”- pipes and drums style.
The gesture delighted the crowd which turned out last Saturday for their parade sounding the start of their annual fundraiser, pipe band week.
Band secretary Mr Bogle said: “Craig and his family are great fans of the band.”
The parade collection, in perfect summer weather, raised over £280, well up on the previous year’s figure..