The Canterbury Caledonian Royal Stewarts, Canterbury’s premier Grade 3 band, will appear for the first time for the 2010/2011 season under new leadership; Harry Hawke and Bruce Fraser. The Grade 3 Band has suffered the lack of permanent leadership after the resignation of Barry Rendell. In 2010, the band competed under the leadership of Liz Drury, which saw the band finish 4th in Grade 3. This season, Harry Hawke and Bruce Fraser will lead the band at all contests. Harry will still continue to play in the Grade 1 Band under his father, Richard Hawke.

Harry Hawke, past Pipe Major of the St Andrews College Pipe Band, has taken over the role as Pipe Major. Harry led the band to its 2009 Grade 2 Victory, as well as it’s 3rd place in 2010 and it’s 5th in the Juvenile Grade at the World Pipe Band Championships. He has won the New Zealand Juvenile Competition as Pipe Major twice.

Bruce Fraser is a long standing member of the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band, having played in the Grade 1 Pipe Band for many years. His family has a long tradition with the society, with his father – Jim Fraser – having been the President and Number 1 supporter for many years.

20 bands have entered the Victoria Square contest, with the New Zealand Police and Canterbury Caledonian Society squaring off in the first major Grade 1 contest of the season.