Well, a lot of water has passed under the Dartford Bridge since my last newsletter! Last year wasn't the best of years for any of us but the year 2000 sees a new start for the Band and a chance to look ahead in a positive and creative way. Pipe Major Mellay deserves the special thanks of all members of the Band for taking the reigns and he deserves our full support which I. m sure he will get. We need to kick some arse and take a few prizes early in the season to show that we are still a Band to be reckoned with. That means commitment and getting to as many practices as possible to maintain the standards that John set. Saying that, your Secretary has run out of luck. For the past four years I have volunteered for all the most unpleasant and unpopular jobs to ensure that I'm not on shift work and so can get to practises.  They have caught up with me so as from 7^th February 2000 I'm back on a Team on those cold dark streets working a strict shift pattern. I won't be able to get to all the practises but please remember I'm totally committed to the Band and will get along when I can. It's not all bad, its only for another four and a half years !!

We are able to use the hall at the club for an extra practise next Sunday 13^th February 2000 from 1000 to 4pm! Please try and get along for a good session (piping & drumming as well!) as we all need the practise, even Alex and myself will be there , and we are both on night duty.

There will be a Ceilidh 2000, the date has yet to be finalised, so start collecting those raffle prizes and spreading the word. Glen Grant our compere of previous years is quite ill at the moment so I'm not sure if he will be fit enough to attend but we will get round the problem, any volunteers, I wonder if Euan will volunteer, he could give us a rendition of Delilah as that always goes down really well!

Please keep an eye on the notice board, there are important dates to note and other information, if it is monitored regularly by members it saves a lot of money in postage and phone calls.

As previously published but there are some additions, Quartets 27/2/2000 nearly upon us! Mini Bands 9/4/2000

29/4/2000 Park House

Rugby Club,Hayes

Sidcup Scouts 7/5/2000

29/5/2000 Otford Village Carnival

15/7/2000 Darent Valley Lions Summer Fete

3/9/2000 Hertford Castle (same day as Chatsworth)

I haven't included the dates of the competitions they are on the notice board.

As discussed at the AGM in November we now have a trophy called the "John Forbes Memorial Trophy for achievement", in the shape of a cup which will be kept in the Band and awarded to any member who the Pipe Major deems to have shone throughout the year. The other trophy which was donated by me is called the "John Forbes Memorial Trophy for open MSR". which will be won for the first time at the Colchester competition for the new MSR category (hopefully by us).

Please see Andy Gallagher for the issue of the Pipe Bag crest in the form of the Forbes clan badge. We hope to have the crest on everyone's Pipe Bag cover by the Quartets, speak to Andy for instructions as to it's positioning as every pipe bag must look the same. The artwork on the crest is fabulous and we must thank Andy for supplying them. Glengary badges will follow donated by Edwin. Keep up the good work!

Mick .