The City of Bradford Pipe Band has recently seen a surge in interest following an appeal for new members - the like of which has not been seen by its participants for some time.

Originally formed in 1914 as a drum and bugle band, called the Sports Battalion Band, the most attractive feature of the current set-up was not introduced until three years later.

The bagpipes are what set the band apart from many a group that populates this part of the world - the haunting timbre of the Highlands is just part of what these magnificent instruments bring to the fore.

The band, which is entirely self-sufficient and does not receive any financial aid from outside sources, meets on Wednesdays at Thornbury Barracks.

The night I tagged along, however, was a rather unique event for the band, as eight new members had turned up following an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

Band secretary Brian Slack, 73, of Wibsey, said he was pleased with the response the band got from the appeal for new members in the T&A.

Mr Slack, a drummer, joined the band 50 years ago after leaving the RAF, and so is fully aware of the dedication needed to progress through the ranks to make it into the band on either pipes, drums or dancing.

He said: "This is the biggest response that we have ever had.

"We always pick up about four or five but we got 14 responses this time, which is incredible."

He reckons it will take a beginner no less than 12 months to be competent enough to say they can play the pipes.

I went along to see if that was true.

First things first then, along with the umpteen other newbies, I was taken to a classroom where I was to have my first lesson with a chanter - a recorder-like instrument where prospective pipe players learn the fingerings for notes, scales and certain playing techniques that give your performance that Highland authenticity.

Having never played a reed instrument before, I was hoping my experience with a number of other instruments would see me through.

As each new member picked up their instrument and began to blow, it was as if a flock of terrified ducks had flown into the room and were trying desperately to get back out again.

After a while however people began to get the hang of how to hold the chanter, where the fingers went and how to blow and each of us were more or less able to play the five-note scale we were given to practice.

Not bad then - but as soon as I learnt what was involved in playing a full set of bagpipes it became apparent how far away we were from getting anywhere near one.

It's not just the ability to be able to play the notes on the chanter, which I can assure you is not as easy as it sounds anyway, but with the full set you have to keep the steady air-flow going in and out of the bag to keep the drones sounding in tune.

Decked out in his Hunting Stewart Tartan and feather bonnet, Pipe Major Bob Jenkins, of Idle, told me just how much effort is needed to get on top of this game.

"I have been playing for just over 30 years - I learned with the band and I have just worked my way through to Pipe Major," said Mr Jenkins, who is also the band's chairman.

"We haven't had so many new recruits for quite a while - so long as they all stick to it then we will be all right.

"Even if half of them keep it up then it will really help us fill the band out.

"They have got to be prepared to put the hours in at home though, we can only show them so much."

At the moment the band's membership stands at 18 - although before the appeal there was five trainees in the ranks as well.

The band perform at almost every kind of function you can think of, although Mr Slack does feel the number of current members limits the amount of engagements they can make.

The range of people training for the band is surprising - the youngest I got to meet was a 15-year-old lad who has already been learning for some while.

At the same time, a few chaps who fit more in the middle-aged band are just starting tonight.

One of those is Jim Gavin, a 50-year-old from Shelf, who has always fancied giving the pipes a go and finally found the urge to do so after seeing the T&A appeal.

He said: "I love it, although I am pretty terrible at the moment.

"They reckon it's going to take us 12 months but I reckon it might take me about 24.

"I have done a lot of singing in the past, but everyone is this room seems to be able to play some sort of instrument.

"It isn't really daunting however, because they all sound as bad as me really!"

Surprisingly there are a few pipe bands in West Yorkshire, such as the City of Leeds Pipe Band and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band.

Presumably, the relative popularity of the bands can only stem from the migration of Scottish folk to West Yorkshire, bringing aspects of their culture and heritage with them.

Mr Slack said drummers and pipers can be adults or children aged ten years old or over, while dancers are usually girls of eight and above.

  • For more information or if you are interested in joining the band, contact Mr Slack on (01274) 678678.