White Spot Junior Pipe Band Still Blazing a Path of Excellence
VANCOUVER – In March of 1956, Malcolm Nicholson and Don Bellamy formed the Hastings East Boys Pipe Band. With boys from ages eight to 12, they made their debut in the PNE parade in August.
In early 1957, the group became the Vancouver Optimist Club Junior Pipe Band and travelled to Nevada and California. The following year in 1958, the band went to Nevada and California to promote the Province of British Columbia.
Soon after returning, Nat Bailey of the White Spot Restaurant chain offered to sponsor the band and henceforth the band became known as the White Spot Junior Pipe Band.
The group integrated a corp of Highland dancers that performed and travelled with them and they travelled to Hawaii in 1963, and then to Quebec City in 1964.
In 1967, the White Spot Girls Pipe Band was launched, consisting mainly of the sisters of many of the boys in the junior band. In early 1970, the two bands were merged.
In 1985, the White Spot Pipe Band and the B.C. Junior Pipe Band merged. The band retained the name of White Spot Junior Pipe Band, and continued to flourish and grow through the Nineties and into the new millennium.
The band has travelled extensively in British Columbia, Alberta, and California, and recently ventured as far afield as Scotland to compete in the World Championships.
Membership from White Spot has spun off to contribute to the formation of bands such as The Vancouver Kiwanis Boys Pipe Band, The Kiwanis Pipe Band, and the Richmond Pipe Band which later became know as the Canadian Pacific Airlines (CP Air) Pipe Band.
You’re Invited to the 50th Anniversary
If you were a band member, parent, family member or otherwise associated with the following pipe bands: Hastings East Boys Pipe Band; Vancouver Optimist Junior Pipe Band; White Spot Junior Pipe Band; White Spot Girls Pipe Band; White Spot Pipe Band and Highland Dancers, you’re invited to attend and celebrate the 50th anniversary of piping, drumming, dancing and memories.
The event will be held on September 30 at the Sacred Heart School in Ladner. There will also be a pub night to be held on September 29 at the Sundance Pub in Ladner.
*
For more information, visit: www.whitespotpipeband.org or call Gail at (604) 543-9736.
|
