Irish Pipes and Drums Receives a Welcome Boost
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
ENJOYING THE EVENING at the fund raiser Whiskey Tasting Night are (far left) Patrick Reid, the Honourary Colonel of the B.C. Regiment of the Irish Pipes and Drums, Pipe Major Gordon Barrett of the Irish Pipes and Drums and Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell who is the Honourary Major in the B.C. Regiment.
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VANCOUVER - On February 27, the B.C. Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums held an Irish and Scotch Whiskey tasting night at the B.C. Regiment Drill Hall on Beatty Street. This was a fundraiser for the regiment to help with the cost of uniforms and equipment.
It was a very pleasant evening with everyone having the opportunity to sample some vintage Irish and Scotch whiskeys. The Irish Pipes and Drums provided the entertainment and one surprise event of the evening was the piping in of the haggis. Pipe Major Gordon Barrett gave a rousing address to the haggis with bass drummer Lieutenant Corporal Robert Greenslade providing the prayer.
A full dress uniform, including the cape, for each member of the regiment costs approximately $3,000. Imagine the surprise and gratitude when Lieutenant General Daryl Dean presented Pipe Major Gordon Barrett of the Irish Pipes and Drums with a cheque from the Irish Trust (the trustees of the old Irish Fusilliers of Canada – the Vancouver Regiment) in the amount of $5,000. The funds will be used for future equipment and uniform requirements for the Irish Pipes and Drums.
PICTURED AT THE IRISH AND SCOTTISH Whiskey Tasting Night are Patrick Reid with Pipe Major Gordon Barrett of the Irish Pipes and Drums, along with members of the Irish Pipes and Drums.
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On hand for the presentation were the Mayor of Vancouver,Larry Campbell, who is an Honourary Major in the B.C. Regiment and also former CEO for Expo ‘86, Patrick Reid, who is the Honourary Colonel of the B.C. Regiment.
The Irish Pipes and Drums Regiment will be marching in Vancouver’s first annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 13, in downtown Vancouver. For more information about the Irish Pipes and Drums call Pat Connell at (604) 802-2576
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