On the 11th day of Christmas my true love said to me “WHO ATE ALL THE PIES?” My effort to blend into the furniture was somewhat hindered by the fact that like Pinnochio, my belly expanded an inch every time I ate a pie. A withering finger and accusatory stare homed in on said belly as she continued “YOU FAT SANTA“. Peeking out the window she said “There’s no sign of rain dear, you should get your sleigh and go out and see who is making all that racket“.

Following the Pipe Major’s lead, eleven Pipers assembled at Manor House at the slightly later time of 10am. “Right then” said the Pipe Major “this piece is to be conducted adagio with the interval occurring nearer the end“. “An Interlude at TJs” was quickly dismissed as was “Ringing The Bells Mills” before deciding on Swan’s “Folly Lake”.

With temperatures hovering around 3°c there was no time to hang around. The band set off towards Cherry Burton with Mike taking position up front on Pipe Sergeant duties. The pleasantly quiet passage was disturbed by a slightly discordant note sounding from Pugwash’s bagpipe as the pesky mudguard kept rubbing on the tyre.

On reaching the top of Dalton ramp there was some confusion with the musical direction until the Pipe Major restored everyone to the correct score. All except Matt and Chris who decided to form a duo and play a different chord so continued towards South Dalton before rejoining the band at Kiplingcotes.

The Pipers continued to skirl their way through Market Weighton before reaching the passage of Cliffe Road. On reaching North Cave, Pipe Major Raymond left the band accompanied by Alan to return home via Hotham and Newbald while the rest played onwards to South Cave. The pace then changed to ” allegro” as the cold air began to eat into the bones of the remaining ensemble.

At the base of the Beverley Road passage, the concerto began with Diminuendo, until the huffing and puffing eventually reached a crescendo at the top of the “clump”.

Following a brief respite, it was time for the final section, which saw the band passing through Little Weighton and onto the Risby Road. A final flourish as the end was in sight, saw the the pace pick up to “molto vivace”. Piper James continued solo while the rest headed for the warmth and refreshments on offer at the Folly Lake café.