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Chieftains...
St. Ronan’s Piping Society is proud to be associated with the people who have been Chieftain at the Innerleithen Pipe Band
Championships, the following is a profile of those Chieftains from 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
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Chieftain 2010
Ronnie Laidlaw
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2010 Chieftain - Ronnie Laidlaw
Profile - I was born and raised in Langholm and am married to Sheila with two grown up children and 3 grandchildren.
My first involvement with a band was as a triangle player in
Langholm Flute band at an early age. I re-joined Langholm flute band 2 years ago after learning to play the flute and now play on the two occasions per year that this band performs.
I started to learn the pipes at age 11 with Langholm Boys Brigade
and joined the Burgh of Langholm Pipe band at age 13.
I have worked as a designer of woven textiles for most of my
working life and moved away from Langholm to take up a design post in Aberdeen in 1973.
My career since then has taken myself and my family to various places to live and I
have joined pipe bands at each of these locations, starting with Aberdeen Caledonian Pipe band in 1974. I was involved in the initial meetings and practices at Elgin & District
Pipe band when this band re-formed in the late 1970s and moved to Yorkshire in 1979 where I joined the City of Leeds Pipe band. On moving back to Scotland in 1983 I
joined the Peebles ex service pipe band, playing with this band until 1989 when I joined Innerleithen/Tweedvale pipe band.
I was voted in as Innerleithen band chairman in the early 1990s and held this post until
early 2009 when, because of work commitments, I had to resign from the job.
I have taken a back seat as regards competing with the band over the last 2 years,
once again because of work commitments, but still turn out for street engagements and attend as many practices as possible. In addition to these engagements I have, during
the last couple of years, piped in various concerts and performances abroad having appeared in 2 charity concerts in the North of Italy and one textile event in Florence. In
July 2007 I performed at a presentation of Scottish textiles in the south of India. I have been involved at various times over the years with different weaving companies
some of these producing tartan fabrics, and I take great interest in the different tartans worn by Pipe Bands nowadays which are much more varied than in past years, many
bands wearing their own specially designed tartans.
Chieftains Message for 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to welcome you all to the 2010 Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships.
I am honoured to have been invited to be this years Chieftain, this being the 9th
occasion on which the competition has taken place.
I have been involved with pipe bands as a playing member for most of my life and
appreciate how much work goes into setting up this type of event so I would like to thank all those whose endeavours make the occasion such a rewarding and exciting spectacle for all of us.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all competitors good luck in today’s
Championships and very much hope that everyone has an enjoyable and memorable day.
Ronnie Laidlaw
Chieftain 2010.
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Chieftain 2009
Doug Patterson
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2009 Chieftain - Doug Patterson
Profile - I would love, like some of my predecessors, to be able to say that I was born and raised in Innerleithen. Unfortunately the
birth took place elsewhere, but I was certainly raised here, having lived in the town all of my life.
I was educatedinitially at Maxwell Street school, then Leithenside
and Peebles High. Locals will remember that Maxwell Street was demolished and is now the site of St Ronan’s House Care Home. So, I’m getting close to completing the full circle!
On leaving school, I went, like many others in those days, into the
textile industry. I worked for many years in Peebles, then spells in Biggar, Selkirk and finaly Edinburgh, where I worked for Geoffrey
(Tailor) Ltd. They weave their own tartan and manufacture kilts, no doubt some of the bands competing today will have been kitted out by them.
Since boyhood, I’ve always been interested in all sports, playing football and cricket,
yes cricket, Innerleithen used to have a very good cricket club. Shortly after leaving school I played football for Peebles YMCA for a few seasons followed by about twelve
seasons for Leithen Rovers. This spell was interrupted by National Service in the RAF however as they were kind enough to post me to Turnhouse, which is now Edinburgh
Airport, for one year, followed by a year in Northern Ireland, I only missed one season instead of two.
In 1962 I was honoured to be appointed Innerleithen Standard Bearer and following my
year, St Ronan’s Border Games Week became a major interest for me. I held at different times the office of Sports Secretary, general secretary, Vice Chairman,
Chairman and in 2001 the committee honoured me by inviting me to be Principal Guest at that years Cleikum Centenary Ceremonies. I retired from committee in 2006 after 44 years.
In 1964 I married Gillian who was my Standard Bearers Lass and we have two children,
Daughter Lesley and son Allan, who is the current Chairman of St Ronan’s Border Games. We have three grand children Robbie, Bryony, and Jamie. I retired in 2003, a
status I am enjoying very much. The pay isnae big but the hours are great.
Chieftains Message for 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I extend to you a very warm welcome to the 8th Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships.
Having been involved with the competition is a small way since its inception, it is a great
honour to have been invited to be Chieftain in 2009.
The organising committee have worked very hard over the past few years to build ip the
competition to what it is today, and are to be congratulated on their fine efforts.
The weather at some of the former events has been very mixed, to say the least, so
hopefully the sun will shine for us today.
I hope the competitors and spectators alike enjoy a memorable day in Innerleithen and
good luck to all.
Doug Patterson
Chieftain 2009.
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Chieftain 2008
Jimmy Cockburn
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2008 Chieftain - Jimmy Cockburn
Profile - I was born in Walkerburn in1936 and stayed at Roadside Cottages now Glenbenna until after the War when the Forestry
Commission took over the hill area for planting.
We then left for a farm near Gifford and stayed for six months but
it was too far from civilisation and the buses only ran twice a day so we were off on our travels again , first to Edinburgh then Earston for a while.
Next stop was Peebles where I went onto finish my education at
Kingsland and the High School . This was where I met Margaret who became my wife.
Leaving school I then served my time as an engineer with Thomas Wallace working as
far away as Barrhead and Glasgow as well as the two Picture houses in Peebles at the time. leisure time was spent at the Rugby or the dancing twice weekly so was always busy.
After serving my time, it was off to National Service for two years which was served in
Germany which I enjoyed.
When I came back, I went to work in Galashiels and during this spell , worked six
months in Huddersfield from there to Peebles and Mcgillvary in the Northgate driving mostly in Glasgow for two years.
Itchy feet again , so back to Gala and the old B R S but this was mostly London so stuck
this for three years then was invited to apply for a job at my local garage where I was for Twelve years.
This is when we got into Pipe bands going to The Europeans at Shott’s for the whole
day. Showing my age here but this was when Dysart was a Novice Juvenile band.
Then back to Peebles to Brown Bros for Seventeen hard years before retiring at 63.
Margaret and I had a Son and Daughter, Christopher and Joyce, sadly Joyce past away
a few years ago, we also have a grandson and grand daughter Aylwin and Justine, and more recently became Great Grand Parents. I never played , but my son and grandson
have done, I have been following the pipe bands for over Forty years. Sadly Margaret past away in March this year after 53 years of marriage.
Chieftains Message for 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be here today as Chieftain of the 7trh Innerleithen Pipe Band
Championships. It is indeed a great honour to be invited to join you at this important event and I look forward to what I am sure will be a great day of competition.
As I am sure many of you will know I am not a musician but I do have a love of the
pipes and drums and their long tradition which I have followed over many years.
Events such as this, organised by local people, are a very important way of showing-off
what is good about our town and attracting people to spend time here.
All our thanks must go to the office bearers and committee of the St. Ronan’s Piping
Society without whose hard work today would not have been possible. I am certain you will all wish to join me in thanking them for their efforts both now and in the years to come.
Finally, good luck to all the competitors young and old. This day is about you and your
music. Thank you for coming here today, your enthusiasm and commitment to our musical tradition are most welcome here in Innerleithen. The support of the townsfolk,
businesses, organisations and bands, have made these Championships an annual fixture on both the Pipe Band contest calendar and in the life of our town. Enjoy
yourselves competitors, spectators, one and all. Let’s have a great and memorable day.
Jimmy Cockburn
Chieftain 2008.
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Chieftain 2007
David Turnbull
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2007 Chieftain - David Turnbull
Profile - I was born and bred in Peebles and was educated in St Josephs Primary school and Peebles High School. I am married to
Janette and have two grown up children Paul 22, and Nicola 20. After leaving school at 15 I worked for a short time on a local farm before serving my apprenticeship as a plumber with the local firm of
James Clyde & Sons.
In 1974 I had the great privilege of being elected to serve Peebles
as its Cornet for that year. Later in that same year I joined Lothian and Peebles Constabulary and worked in Peebles as a local
Police Officer. In 1976 along with Allan Beveridge I took on the role of joint secretary of the Peebles Beltane Committee, a role which we
both continue to enjoy to this day. One of my duties associated with being Beltane secretary is the organizing of bands to play at
Beltane, this of course has brought me into contact with very many pipe and indeed silver bands and bandsmen throughout the years and while I still can not read music I
am acutely aware of the politics behind running a band!
In 1980 I was transferred to Duns and after working there for several years I joined the
traffic department and worked on traffic and motor cycle duties in Eyemouth and Galashiels before returning to beat duties in Peebles in 1992. I continued in that job
until my retirement after 30 years service in 2004. I am now a private hire operator specializing in long distance and airport transfer work.
I am a past Chairman of the Peebles Ex Cornets Association, honorary member as well
as secretary of Peebles Beltane Committee, a member of the Peebles Callants Club and Peebles Guildry Corporation. My main hobby is horse riding, the family has two
horses at the moment usually requiring exercising most days, not so good on the wet days but a good way of keeping fit.
David Turnball
Chieftain 2007
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Chieftain 2006
Jack Purves
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2006 Chieftain - Jack Purves
Profile - Our Chieftain for the 5th Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships is Mr Jack Purves
Jack Purves was born and raised in Walkerburn. He attended the
village school and left in 1941 to start work as an apprentice engineer in the local Mill. The offer of better pay encouraged him to leave the Mill and go on to work for the Ministry of Home Grown
Timber Production, first on the Glen Estate before moving to the Arniston Estate. The only problem with the move was that he had to live in a remote bothy and fend for himself, which wasn’t always
easy with wartime food rationing.
Jack joined the Army in early 1945 and served with the Gordon
Highlanders for three years, which took him to France, Egypt Palestine and Libya. He became a piper with the 2nd Battalion under Pipe Major Alec Cupples and had the honour of playing in the
Royal Guard at Balmoral. Jack has previously been taught to play the pipes by Pipe Major Airch Euman
On demobilisation in 1948, Jack returned to Walkerburn, doing a variety of jobson
farms and rabbit trapping before again taking a job in the local Mill. He met and married Kateryna Soroka, a Ukrainian girl who had come to work in Walkerburn, and
they had one son John who has recently retired from 30 years Army service with the rank of Colonel. Jack and Kateryna were married for 55 years. Sadly Kateryna died in 2003.
Jack was an active piper playing both in local bands and whilst working in Canada and
the USA in bands over there including the championship winning Powell River Pipe Band. Here at home, some of his best memories are of playing as Pipe Sergeant in the
Innerleithen British Legion Pipe Band under Pipe Major Robert Euman. He gave up active piping at the age of 74 and turned to composing pipe tunes. In the last 4 years
he has composed over 350 tunes and has had three books of tunes printed.
In 1999, Jack was honoured to be the Chieftain of the Portland Oregon Scottish
Highland Games and in 2004 he was a guest at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo where the massed Pipes and Drums played the slow air “Kateryna Soroka Purves” which Jack has written for his wife.
Apart from piping, Jack’s interests have revolved round livestock and the river. A keen
fisherman, Jack never likes to be far from the Tweed
St Ronan’s Piping Society is proud to have Mr Jack Purves as Chieftain of the 5th
Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships. We hope he enjoys his day.
Jack Purves
Chieftain 2006
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Chieftain 2005
Andrew Caldwell
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2005 Chieftain - Andrew Caldwell
Profile - Our Chieftain for the fourth Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships requires little introduction to the public of
Innerleithen, the prominent local businessman Mr. Andrew Caldwell. Here is a short biography, penned by the Chieftain himself:
“I have lived all my life here in Innerleithen and I am proud to be a
part of it. I started work at 15 as a motor mechanic with Bert MacKinnon at Traquair Road Garage. I loved working with cars and still do when I have the time.
At the age of 30, I left the garage to join my father in his ice-cream
business. I enjoy working with the public and have seen many changes to our business over the years. We used to sell only vanilla but now we have 13 flavours and are hoping to expand that
number to 25. We also have ice-cream trailers which go to fetes, fairs and Common Ridings.
In 1968 I was asked to be the St Ronan’s Standard Bearer, a very proud moment in my
life. My lass, then Ann Douglas supported me well throughout this busy and enjoyable time. In 1969 we married and had three children, Angela Janice and Drew. We now have
four grandchildren – Chloe, Katie Jessica and Sam – who keep us very busy.
I have played football for Leithen Rovers and Vale of Leithen football clubs. I then went
on to referee for 15 years. In 1984, I helped to found Leithen Vale Sports Club where I was club leader for 15 years. This was a very successful club and continues to be on of
the top clubs today. I have been President of St Ronan’s Bowling Club twice and am currently President of the Peeblesshire Bowling Association.
Through my business, I am a director of the Ice-cream Alliance. I represent Scotland on
the board of the ice-cream industry.”
St Ronan’s Piping Society is proud to have Mr Andrew Caldwell as Chieftain of the fourth
Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships. We hope he enjoys his day.
Chieftains Message for 2005
Ladies and Gentlemen
I extend to you a very warm welcome to the fourth Innerleithen Pipe Band
Championships and Drum Major’s contest.
I feel it is a great honour not only for myself, but also for my family, to have been
selected as Chieftain for the 2005 Championships. I hope to carry out my duties as well as my predecessors have done. I am looking forward to the big day and hope that the weather is kind to you all.
Enjoy a great day of piping competition.
Andrew Caldwell
Chieftain 2005
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Chieftain 2004
Robert Euman
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2004 Chieftain - Robert Euman
Profile - Our Chieftain for the third Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships requires little introduction to the public of
Tweeddale or the piping fraternity
Pipe Major Robert Euman, or Bob as he is known locally, was born
and raised in Innerleithen. He was educated at Maxwell Street and Leithen Schools, until the family moved to Peebles in 1932 when he was then aged 12. After leaving school he was employed in service
in Southern England and travelled widely with his employer. Returning to Peebles in 1935 after one and a half years, he became an apprentice spinner in March Street Mills Peebles, the
Waverley Mill in Innerleithen and latterly served as an instructor at the Borders Textile Technical College in Galashiels until retirement.
Bob was taught and learned to play the pipes, by his father “Airch” Euman, a veteran
piper of World War One who was an extremely good and knowledgeable piper who contributed much to piping in the district and who played with the Peebles
Ex-servicemen’s Pipe Band under P/M Jock Sterricks and P/M Ross Dodds.
Prior to the outbreak of World War Two Bob joined the local Territorial Battalion, the 8th
Royal Scots and was mobilised at the outbreak of war on September 3 1939. He was selected to take part in one of the first wartime piping courses at Edinburgh Castle
under the legendary P/M William Ross, where he met and got to know many of the famous pipers of that time. He served as Pipe Major of the 8th Royal Scots from 1942
until his demobilisation in 1946, apart from a period recovering from a war wound received during the fighting in Holland. He served with the battalion from Normandy to the Baltic.
On returning to civilian life in Peebles, Bob and his father helped to found and establish
the Peebles British Legion Band with some of the former ATC band members that his father had tutored and trained in the early years of the war. Sadly, the British Legion
committee decided to disband this very promising pipe band as few years later.
Bob was married in 1954 to Chrissie Thorburn, a well known and popular Innerleithen
lass, and they settled in Hall Street where Bob still resides today. Sadly Chrissie, his wife of nearly fifty years, died on 19 December 2003.
Bob played with the Innerleithen British Legion Pipe Band under P/M George Mitchell,
and was himself Pipe Major from 1966 to 1982. On his retirement he had a piping class at St Ronan’s Primary School which continued for a number of years.
Piping and Pipe Bands have played a large part in Robert Euman’s life and he is a most
worthy Chieftain for today’s third Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships.
St Ronan’s Piping Society is proud to have P/M Robert Euman as Chieftain of the third
St Ronan’s Pipe Band Championships. We hope he enjoys his day.
Chieftains Message for 2004
Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to be here amongst you today. I consider it a great honour
and privilege to have been invited to be Chieftain of the third Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships, now being contested by Grades 2 3 and 4. I feel this is one of the best
new events that have happened in Innerleithen for a great many years.
I have been associated with piping and pipe bands for most of my life and enjoy
nothing better than to hear a good band well set up. I appreciate all the know-how and hard work that is necessary to produce a prize winning performance.
Over the years, I have seen a great many changes in pipe bands, none more so than
the pitch of the pipes and drums. The sound is very much improved and standards seem to get better year after year.
I must pay tribute to the officials and committee of the St Ronan’s Piping Society for all
the hard work and effort that is required to organise the wonderful spectacle that we will all be privileged to enjoy here today.
Also I would like to thank the sponsors who generously donate cups, trophies and prize
money, and also the corporate members for their continued support.
Lastly, but not least, to all of you here today who have come to support and enjoy this
third championship occasion, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Enjoy a great day of piping competition.
Robert Euman
Chieftain 2004
2003 Chieftain - Dr Robert Cumming
Profile - Like last years Chieftain, this years Chieftain needs little introduction to the public of Innerleithen. A well known and respected
member of the community, the Chieftain of the second St. Ronan’s Pipe Band Championships is Dr. Robert Loudon Cumming, MB ChB, MRCGP, LMCC.
Born and brought up in Renfrew, Dr Cumming was educated at
Glasgow High School and then Glasgow University. A GP in Canada for one year before coming to Innerleithen, he has been a GP in Innerleithen since 1974. He lives in Traquair with wife Ethne, dog,
horse and 12 hens.
The Cummings’ have three children - Lisa, Robbie and Jamie – all of
whom were educated at Peebles High School. Lisa lives on the Isle of Arran with husband David and son Gregor, born December 2002 (a
first grandson). Robbie is a medical student at Glasgow University. He plays rugby for Peebles Rugby Club 1st XV and is a keen piper,
fiddle player and guitarist. Jamie is an Environmental Scientist in Edinburgh. He also plays rugby for Peebles and is a keen sailor.
When time allows, Robert is a keen fisherman, hill walker and gardener. He is Deputy
Lord Lieutenant of Peeblesshire, a position he has held since 1998. He is a past President of Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn Rotary Club, a past Chairman of the
Area Medical Committee and a past member of Innerleithen, Traquair and Glen Community Council.
St. Ronan’s Piping Society is proud to have Dr Cumming as Chieftain of the second St.
Ronan’s Pipe Band Championships. We hope he and his family enjoys his day.
Chieftains Message for 2003
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be here today as Chieftain of the St. Ronan’s Jubilee Pipe Band
Championships. It is indeed a great honour to be invited to join you at this important event and I look forward to what I am sure will be a great day and a good competition.
As I am sure many of you will know I cannot claim to be a musician but I do have a
love of the pipes and drums and their long tradition over many years. There is certainly nothing I know that can better stir the heart and give us pride in our nation.
These most uncertain times in the world serve to remind us of our history and the
enduring roll of the pipe band in the past, present and future. Competitions such as today’s are the catalyst to ensuring that our tradition will be secured in the years to
come. All our thanks must go to the office bearers and committee of the St. Ronan’s Piping Society without whose hard work today would not have been possible. I am
certain you will all wish to join me in thanking them for their efforts both now and in the years to come.
Finally, good luck to all the competitors young and old. This day is about you and your
music. Thank you for coming here today, your enthusiasm and commitment to our musical tradition are most welcome here in Innerleithen. Enjoy yourselves competitors,
spectators, one and all. Let’s have a great and memorable day.
Robert L Cumming
Chieftain 2003
2002 Chieftain - Mr Keith Belleville
Biography
When the St. Ronan’s Piping Society committee first sat down to consider who should become the inaugural Chieftain of the St.
Ronan’s pipe band championships, one candidate sprang immediately to mind.
Today’s Chieftain, Mr Keith Belleville, needs little introduction to the
people of Innerleithen. With his unrivaled range of involvement in local community groups over a number of years, it is little wonder that Keith has become widely known as “Mr Innerleithen”. This was
officially recognised earlier this year when he was awarded Tweeddale Citizen of the Year, the latest in a long line of achievements.
(A native and resident of Innerleithen, and educated at St. Ronan’s primary School and Peebles High School.) A teacher by profession, Keith works at Knowepark Primary School Selkirk. Amongst his many
achievements are the following:
* Innerleithen Standard bearer in 1993
* Member of the St. Ronan’s Border Games Committee since 1993; currently Chairman;
editor of the official Games Week Programme since he revived the publication in 1995
* Member of the Ex-Standard Bearer’s Association
* Member of the Innerleithen Operatic Society since 1984 being a regular cast member; currently Publicity Officer of the society
Community Councillor with Innerleithen Traquair and Glen Community Council since 1999
* Innerleithen Correspondent for the Peeblesshire news
* Member of St. Ronan’s Silver Band since 1981; current band secretary; plays trombone; Junior band leader. He has been instrumental ( no pun intended) in reviving the fortunes of the band
* Organiser of the St. Ronan’s Tattoo, held bi-annually at Traquair House
* Scottish Borders Brass Band Association
* Tweeddale Citizen of the Year 2002
As a bandsman himself, Keith will no doubt appreciate the long hours of practice and hard work which has gone in to the performances Having endured many a long speech
at the end of a hard days contesting waiting for the results, Keith’s reply to the salute to the Chieftain will no doubt be brief!
St. Ronan’s Piping Society is honoured to have Mr Keith Belleville as its inaugural Chieftain. We hope he enjoys his day and wish him well for the future.
Chieftains Message for 2002
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour for me to be here today as Chieftain of the inaugural St. Ronan’s Jubilee Pipe Band Championships, organised by the St. Ronan’s Piping Society.
When the idea of a Pipe Band competition was suggested to me some months ago, I felt that this was just the sort of event that should be encouraged and was pleased to
play a very small part in helping to “set the ball-rolling.” Events such as this, organised by local people, are a very important way of showing-off what is good about our town
and attracting people to spend time here.
The hard work and enthusiasm of the organising committee has paid off handsomely.
They have generated a genuine interest towards the event within the district and have attracted many supporters to ensure a strong foundation in advance of the competition.
I congratulate them on their work and am sure that we will see the fruits of this today.
I am greatly looking forward to an exciting day’s competition. I know that amount of
preparation that goes into a contest performance and hope that this work pays off for all bands here today.
Finally, I am sure with the support of the townsfolk, businesses, organisations and
bands, that these Championships will become an annual fixture both on the Pipe Band contest calendar and in the life of our town.
Keith J. Belleville
Chieftain 2002.
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