Stonehouse Pipe Band to play at French festival

Mar 4 2010 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

STONEHOUSE Pipe Band have this year been invited to play at the Summer Festival in Seclin, France, by Larkhall Twinning Association.

Seclin, the twin town of Larkhall, is situated near Lille in the north of the country.

The band members were delighted to accept the invitation and about 20 of them will travel on Friday, June 25, returning three days later.

They will travel by coach and have launched the Funds for France Campaign to raise money for the trip.

On Saturday, January 22, some of the Pipe Band members played outside Sainsbury’s in Hamilton to commemorate Burns Night and raised £275.

The band would like to thank all who donated.

On Saturday, February 20, the band held a Funds for France Ceilidh in the Public Institute, which was enjoyed by around 100 people of all ages.

Morag Cook, chairman of Stonehouse Pipe Band, said: “We all danced to the music of the Richard Smith Trio and an enjoyable time was had by all.”

A raffle was drawn at the ceilidh. Main prizes were a £50 voucher, donated by McCallum Bagpipes in Kilmarnock; a digital set top box, donated by Frank Craig in Larkhall; signed Motherwell and Rangers footballs and a pair of goalie's gloves signed by former Rangers and Scotland star Andy Goram.

Morag added: “The pipe band members give thanks to all shops, businesses and individuals who donated prizes.

“We were overwhelmed by their generosity and hope to have raised around £300 when all ticket money has been handed in.

“It was a very successful evening and we are now more than halfway towards our £1000 target.”