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Wellington Scottish Pipes and Drums

Wellington Scottish Pipes & Drums:
Wellington Scottish Pipes & Drums is based in New Zealand's capital city, and is Wellington's oldest pipe band formed originally in 1932 as an army band (See History).

Today the band plays at City Council parades in the Botanical Gardens and other city locations, Christmas parades, St Patrick’s Day, of course ANZAC Day. Band members range from college age to somewhat older (several present day band members joined in Wellington Regiment days, although they might not like to admit it!).

As a teaching band, WSPD  caters for players of various levels of ability from developing players ranging through to those who are already highly accomplished on the pipes or drums.

Practise Nights: Band practises are normally on Wednesday nights from 7:00 until about 9:00 at Wellington Scottish Athletics Club Hall (no relations!) Salisbury Tce, Newtown.   Please drop in if you're interested in the band.

New members: New players are always welcome, whether experienced players of the pipes or drums, or just starting out. Tuition is available at band practices for drummers, and tuition for beginners on the pipes needs to be arranged with a member of the band. Please contact the Band if you are interested or have any inquiries.

Uniform: Since 1975 WSPD has worn the Black Stewart tartan (pictured below). The band has a full dress uniform, and a summer uniform (worn on most parades and for competitions.

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The cap badge is that formerly used by the Wellington Regiment. As with the insignia and names of many Wellington institutions (eg the Wellington Cricket Club), the crest is based on that of the Duke of Wellington (see The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) ) with the addition of the words "New Zealand" below. The motto is "Virtutis Fortuna Comes" - fortune, companion of courage.

Collar Badge, Wellington Regiment Cap Badge, West Riding Regiment Embroidered "Collar Dog", Wellington Regiment

Fundraising: The band raises most of its own funds through performing at public and private events, subscriptions, and fundraising drives such as pub crawls! The band favours performance-related activities as a means to fundraising rather than non-piping related activities such as cake stalls!!!

Botanic Gardens 1940s
We've been doing parades at the Botanic Gardens for a while now! - The Pipe & Drums before a Gardens Parade 1940s. (Eric Skachill, our present lead side drummer,  is standing immediately to the left of the Bass Drummer).

 

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© 1998-2000, Bram van Melle
Email Web Major: bram.vanmelle@vuw.ac.nz
This page was last updated 23/11/05