PBNews has decided to start the new year with a new series of features; Taking a Look. Taking a Look will be an anonymous column which will be completed by a member of the piping and/or drumming community and will given a different insight into contests and events throughout the piping and pipe band year.

A Hogmanay to Remember

I’d only been to Waipu a few times before for the New Year (15+ years ago; gulp!) and had planned just to have a quiet one with a few cans and a few friends. When I got the call up to join in with a few others in a road-trip from the Central North Island, I couldn’t say no. And I’m glad I didn’t. Attending arguably the best highland games in the country was such a treat and an insight not only into the world of solo piping, but the world of solo drumming.

We set off for Auckland on the 31st and were to meet several others who were, like me, road-tripping to Auckland. A few young lads in one car, a female or two in another, and a few already there meant my first New Year in Auckland was a bit of a highlight. The chat was piping and the focus was clear… but serious chat was left for another day, and just for one night we let our hair down… or so I thought.

Waking up onto the 1st day of 2012 and the travel from Auckland to Waipu took a different turn – all cars in the “Te Hikoi” convoy dressed up in patriotic flag attire and blasted the Dave Dobbyn and Six60. The Swat Team led the front, and with all the rest of us falling behind, we set off to the township of Waipu, just short of Whangarei, and home to the legend of Bain McGregor and his onslaught. Several stops for photo opportunities and public consumption were just part of the magic that was Te Hikoi Ō Te Āninu Māhunga Kaiwhakatangitangi Te Waipū.

There is an annual memorial medley competition, recognising the life of Bain’s late wife Helen, and the love she had for piping music. 6 pipers took to the stage – apparently down on last year where they had a record 22 compete – and what a musical spectacle it was. Bain did note although the numbers were down, the standard was high. The highlights were definitely a rendition of Davey Websters 40th, a Fred Morrison horn-reel, an amended John Pattersons Mare, and a modern Breton Dance followed by a few jigs from Paul Hughes. The night ended with Martin Frewen being announced the winner, the two stews/stus finished second and third, and Liam Kernaghan finishing off the prize list. A few drams, a catch up with some old friends, and the end to the first night of what undoubtedly was going to be a cracker start to 2012.

The next day brought about some early rain but the skies cleared and we were treated to a beautiful day under the scorching Northland sun. We arrived just after 9, and already the A Grade March and the A Grade Strathspey and Reel were under way, as were the lower grades. We parked up at the Open board and spent the day walking back and forth between the drumming and the piping. One of the great things about Waipu is that the boards – although well spread out – are not that far away, and the ease in which we could watch a competitior in the A Grade MSR on the Drumming board and jump down to the Under 21 piobaireachd was especially comforting, considering any form of physical exercise on this day was sure to enduce some major sweats.

The Drumming Solos were well attended, but again, apparently down in numbers on last year. I wish I’d got my sticks out and competed, because the relaxed atmosphere which was conducive to such musical performances would have been a fun way to start the year. However, I sat and enjoyed a few good tunes on the drumming board for parts of the day and would encourage anyone and everyone to give it a go some day.

In comparison, it was clear the piping board was full of formality.. and rightly so. The names of the competitiors playing, according to the lady sitting beside me, was “first class.. undoubtedly a very high standard”. There were 12 open piping competitors, all names even I recognised as a drummer. The professionalism and the music was outstanding all day, with pipes to match. One of the judges reported the standard of the pipes at the contest was very high. What would I know though.

The lunchtime spectacle was something that I will forever remember and enjoy; the annual pipers march. All the pipers – regardless of grade – and some drummers lined up and march around the field with clans and supporters in behind, playing such favourites as Green Hills of Tyrol, Bonnie Dundee, Orange and Blue and the Flower of Scotland. Under the sun and the climbing heat, at least 40 pipers stood and played for the masses, with highland dancers dancing to the strathspeys. A visual treat for the masses which culminated in several thousand people crowding around to see what was happening.

As the day draw nearer to sun-set, the piping board became more populated. The drumming solos had finished and with the prize giving having been completed, we set off to the piping, and we sat down to my highlight of the day – the A Grade Hornpipe and Jig. At least 60 people were watching this display of excellent music which was without doubt the “crowd-pleaser”. To say there were several highlights would be to do injustice to the high level of competition in this event… but there were some tunes which even the older generation had their feet tapping along to.

The Prize Giving happened, with each of the prize winners being recognised for their performances and presented with the ever-important prize money. There was a tribute delivered by Allan Cameron to the late Lewis Turrell MBE, who passed away just before Easter in 2011, and who was a major contributor to piping and a staunch advocate for the Waipu Highland Games. The day at the park finished with a few more drams, a bit of chat and some more catching up. It was about 7:30 that we ended up returning to Bain’s house for a BBQ, some tunes, and a fantastic night.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Waipu 15 years on… but now I know I’m never doing another New Years again. Waipu was without question perhaps the greatest way to herald in the new year.