McLennan Tartan
Hamilton Caledonian Society & Pipe Band is 90yrs Young
Following the First World War an enthusiastic group of Scots formed the first
society and pipe band in 1925. The society first bore the name “South Auckland
Caledonian Society”, a name that was subsequently revised in 1938 to the
“Hamilton Caledonian Society” to properly reflect the society’s location.
Not only did the society form a band, but also initiated highland and country
dancing groups, regular Inglesides, concerts and a choir, all promoting family
entertainment. The membership fee was ladies 2s6d and gents 7s6d and within
two months there were over 100 paid up members. There was brief flurry of
emotion when a faction wished to restrict committee positions to those of
Scottish descent. It didn’t succeed then, and it certainly wouldn’t now!
The Society immediately set about arranging concerts in Hamilton and
surrounding towns as well as play outs on request. Soon the band was the “first
call” for entertainment at public events. In the first year the society had a credit
balance of 34 Pounds 7 shillings and 7 pence, a handsome sum at that time. Such
was the success of fund raising that in 1929, under the tutelage of Pipe Major Sam
Clothier, the band was fully kitted in the McLennan tartan. In uniform, the 18
musicians were finally able to compete.
In those early times the social life of the society and band was exceptional with all
events being well patronized and the highland dancers acquitting themselves very
well in the competing circles. Burns Nights, St Andrews Day and Hogmanay were
all celebrated with reverence.
1929 was a defining moment for the new organisation with the arrival of the
great depression. Some activities of the society were forced to close due to
financial difficulties resulting from un-employment. Despite the adversity, the
society provided support for its members and continued the opportunity to
socialise.
The society and band survived the depression and in 1938 the pipe band was
crowned B Grade champions and promoted to A Grade. Due to the suspension of
national contests during the Second World War the band did not compete again
until 1947 when it won the A Grade under Pipe Major Sam Clothier. The band
went on to win the A Grade in 1948. Sam Clothier retired in 1955 after 24 years
service to the band, only interrupted by six years in the armed forces.
Worthy of note is that in 1948, the band paraded 108 times, perhaps by virtue of
the fact Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band had become attached to the 4th Waikato
Mounted Rifles Regiment and so in that period was a military band.
The growth post Second World War was such that a marching team was formed in
1945 and for many years competed successfully in regional competitions.
Rumour has it they also had lots of fun and in ensuing years some acquired
familiar names to those young men of the society. Something good was
happening! In 1946, the band split into two competing units.
Over the years the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band has competed with distinction
winning:
1938 B Grade at Palmerston North (promoted to A Grade)
1947 A grade at Whanganui
1948 A Grade at Dunedin
1966 B Grade at Timaru
1980 Grade 3 at Hamilton (promoted to Grade 2)
1983 Grade 2 at Invercargill
2005 Grade 2 at Invercargill
2006 Grade 2 at Hamilton (promoted to Grade 1)
In every organisation there are characters who stand out and who have been the
“glue” that keeps “the show on the road”. Hamilton Caledonian has had its share,
and unsurprisingly features generations of families, not so prevalent these days of
multiple distractions for our youth.
It is well recorded the contributions of the families Cameron, Paget, Corbett,
Kennedy, Gordon, Rogerson, Blackhall, McRae, Hutchison, Middleton, McLachlan,
McKay, Sperry, Miller, McLennan. Some of these names still appear in the Society
membership, along with the modern equivalents, Andrews, Bailey, Irving, Wilson,
Josland, Miller, Norris, Wooderson, Eade, and Shiels.
Over the years the Pipe Band has been the central focus of the society and its
longevity is due to the significant contributions of three Pipe Majors, Sam
Clothier, Trevor Andrews and Andy McKay (junior).
Sam Clothier, Pipe Major (1925 -1940 & 1944 - 1955). Sam’s 24 years service to
the band was broken only by military service. Sam was Pipe Major for the
successes of 1938, 1947 and 1948. Sam also had the distinction of playing for the
Queen on her visit to Hamilton in 1954.
Trevor Andrews, Pipe Major (1957 to 1959, 1964 to 1966, 1981 to 1989) a total 23
years followed by 3 years as musical director. Trevor joined the band in 1951 on
moving from New Plymouth where he had played for both The New Plymouth
Caledonian and City of New Plymouth bands. Trevor is still a playing member of
our band and is familiar to most in the pipe band fraternity as a piper, dedicated
bandsman and judge. Trevor’s contribution over 63 years has been immense.
Trevor was musical director when the band won promotion to Grade 2 in 1980
and Pipe Major when winning Grade 2 in 1966 and 1983.
Andy McKay (1966 – 1981, winning Grade 3 in 1980). In addition to Andy’s piping
role he and his wife Joan were also major contributors to the society committee,
as were Andy’s parents. Andy’s fame rose as the master mind and project
manager during the conversion of the current band hall, utilizing his considerable
joinery skills. Andy passed away in April 2014, one month after parading in a
winning Street March at the Paeroa Highland Games. A real trooper and is sadly
missed. Pipe Major Peter Duncan composed “A Salute to Andy McKay” and
played it for Andy at a band function in November 2013. This slow air is now part
of the bands competing medley repertoire.
Peter Field, Pipe Major (2002 - 2006). In 2005 & 2006 Peter was instrumental in
leading the band to winning Grade 2, being promoted to Grade 1 after the 2006
victory. Peter now lives in Western Australia, continuing a successful piping
career, most recently with West Australian Police Pipe Band.
Brendon Eade, Pipe Major (2006 – 2009). After winning the Grade 2
championship, Brendon led the band in Grade 1 competition for the next two
years. Brendon is now one of New Zealand’s premier pipers and holds many titles
both nationally and internationally. In addition, Brendon is now one of New
Zealand’s elite judges.
Other Pipe Majors have been:
G Robinson & S Rogerson (1940 – 1944, the years Sam Clothier was in military
service)
Colin Addison (1955 – 1956)
Albert Sheath (1956 – 1957)
Bill Robertson (1959 – 1964)
Gary Watt (1998 to 2002)
Struan Murgatroyd (2009 – 2012)
Sandy Geyer (Mrs) (2012 – 2013)
Peter Duncan (2013 to present)
In common with many bands it was always a challenge to secure adequate
practice facilities. This was overcome when the Society purchased its first
premise at 146 Grey Street, Hamilton East in 1962. This was the same year that
the band secured a 400 pound import license to purchase new band uniforms
from Thomas Gordon in Glasgow. Kilts were 9pounds 13shillings each. Subs were
1pound. How times have changed!
Due to dwindling membership and residents complaints about noise, the Grey
Street hall was sold in 1986, to be replaced in 1990 by the current converted
premises in 86 High Street, Frankton. The current band is blessed with top class
premises in a commercial area with no close residential neighbours and so no
noise restrictions.
The Society and Band has, like many other organisations over the years, had its
ups and downs as it sought to foster Scottish culture, move with the changing
times and encourage young person’s involvement in the band. Typically dizzy
heights were reached on more than one occasion only to be sabotaged by job
transfers, student migration and natural attrition. There have though been many
stalwarts who have hung in through thick and thin, many of them larger than life
and with tales that could never be printed.
Currently the band has a healthy base of younger pipers and drummers mingling
with “mature” musicians, competing in Grade 4A. Numbers are such that a band
also competes in Grade 4B. Both bands are under the control of Pipe Major Peter
Duncan whose musical talents are wide and varied and have enhanced the bands
repertoire as we seek to challenge for a position in Grade 3 at the Nationals in
Nelson in March 2015.
The band performs civic and public duties and members play for the many
University and Polytechnic graduations, always colourful affairs.
There is a strong effort to foster budding pipers and drummers 9 years and older
and parents seeking to find out more should visit the band website
www.hamiltoncaledonianpipeband.
As part of our 90th celebrations in 2015 the Society and Band are holding a Burns
Night on 31 January, a Highland Ball in September and a 90th Re-Union 7 & 8
November. Any enquiries relating to these events should be directed to Peter
Lawson peter.feltlikeit@xtra.co.nz or 021 703 835.
Acknowledgement to Winston Hooper, researcher and historian
from whom some of this article was drawn from