Hawick Pipe Band visits Werne                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                         Friday Day 1

At 10.30am on the 21^st October 2005 a small expeditionary pipe band left the small town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. This gallant bunch of men consisted of nine Scottish players and three guests from Australia, Ireland and England. Like all well planned pipe band trip we left late. The plan was to travel to Prestwick Airport by car in convoy by the time we left Hawick we were split up. With luck on our side or should I say modern technology the mobile phone we all arrived at Prestwick at the same time, fifty minutes before departure. Through check in we could now relax as pipe bands do, straight to the bar for beer.

            We arrived in Germany safely and were met by Gudron Holtrup, the lady who had contacted Hawick Pipe Band and organized this trip. Gudron led us to the bus that waited outside we where now on the last leg of the journey. You could feel the tension start to build as we would soon meet the German families who were to be our hosts, It is always like this when you are about to meet someone for the first time. The tension soon disappeared when we where offered a beer, there was a small fridge at the front of the bus it looked as if it would only hold ten beers, but to our delight it must have been a meter deep we got more than one. We arrived at the town hall in Werne at around 6.30pm where the Mayor and the families who were to be our hosts awaited our arrival. After a short welcome speech by Mayor we were introduced to our hosts and given a small welcome package that contained the program for the weekend ahead. We then left with our hosts to freshen up and get to know each other.

            The band all met at 9pm at the pub "Der Heidekrug”, Lohstraße to play our first engagement. It was nice to see everyone was there, we all had good hosts, now the fun could begin. The band tuned up outside the pub we entered in single file playing Scotland the Brave the crowd cheered we played for about half an hour and even got them singing when we played Wooden Heart, the first play was a great success. After playing it was time to socialize with our hosts and the other guests, we  made new friends right from the start. The beer started to flow and the singing began. The guests we had just played for were the crew of the ship S 77 Dachs of the German Navy they were to become great friends over the next few days.

                                                Saturday Day 2           

            We had the morning off to recover from our first day in Germany which was much needed. The band met at the Red Cross building for an informal lunch of traditional pea soup, all with smiles on faces it was not long before the laughter began. The stories started from the day before. One was a classic and will be told for years to come, (The tail of the toilet roll "Or lack thereof") in order to protect the innocent we shall not mention any names because of the embarrassment that it caused to young Bruce.  We sat around drinking and talking with our hosts for the next two hours, it was then time to tune up for the second performance. At 2.30pm the band was on parade outside the old town hall, we played for 15 minutes then the mayor made his speech and then officially opened the Sim-Ju-Fair.  The band then played through the fair with the mayor Mr. Tappe and other guests stopping for beer at every bar, and for good luck we did a lap of honor, more beer, the second play finished in the Bavarian-style marquee to the sound of Amazing Grace. It was now time to relax and enjoy the occasion, we quickly found a table which happened to be next to the Dachs crew. The fun began the Captain soon arrived with a bottle and twelve glasses which he filled and toast was made, the friendship was growing stronger by the minute. Two young sailors got up and started a conga followed by two of the pipe band soon they were snaking up and down the isles lifting others from their seats

The party had started.  Mayor Tappe invited the pipe band on to the stage so he could introduce us to the public, this was a nice touch by him it made us feel welcome. We played in front of the stage to thank them all for there kind hospitality.  Later on a small group of us played in the partnership tent by this time the drink was starting to show.

            The singing started shortly after. Singing in the rain ((the pipe band version)) you have to see this to believe it. The famous drum roll by skinned knees was born at this point.  Dennis was lost to the drink. ((We hope he is still alive)) and the night just went blank.

                                                Sunday Day 3

            This day started with fuzzy heads where did I leave my drum, my sticks, my coat oh my god I’m in trouble were is my hat. We all met at the council chambers in dribs and drabs for the (“morning pint”) hoping someone had our kit. It was time for hair of the dog time for recovery. Most of us were ok after a short spell. We soon started to laugh and joke the stories from the previous day were great and we had photos to prove it.  Mayor Tappe was at the front thanking all the different groups for coming to the city of Werne and each in turn thanking him for the invite. It was now our turn to reply which we did as pipe band do by playing for our hosts this went down well. We sat around for a while after the speeches were finished, talking to the locals, making new friends. The day ahead was all set we were to play water polo at 2 pm the team was picked and we were ready to make waves. We left the town hall at twelve thirty to prepare for the polo match which meant chips, a slow walk to the swimming pool through the fair ground stopping for one or two beers as we passed the bars what’s new we could only sink or swim.

We arrived at the pool it was now time to take this a little more serious. We sat outside the changing room thinking what the hell am I playing at. I have not swum for fifteen years I’ll probably drown but it was too late time to go. After changing we made our entry as always a little over the top, photo shoot, big bass drum and lots of noise we’ll scare them or make them laugh that was the plan. First match guess (us) in at the deep end none of us new the rules (and one of us could only do the doggy paddle) the whistle went the game was on they scored but surprise surprise we scored next, and the next, half time. Free drink this was worth coming for just what the doctor ordered rocket fuel for the human torpedo this did the trick we one the first match. Quick photo shoot of winning team. Then support for the Dachs team. During the next match the Scots team had to do some late training in the bar well the truth they needed a fags and beer. Our next game was much the same as the first we won or they lay down I am not sure. But this lead to the final games we had to play two on the trot. We managed to scrape a win in the third game but then came the mighty Dachs they were good and we were tired with a brave attempt the Scots sank like the Titanic. It was all over, second was not a bad result we only had three ringers in the team Marcus and two young German boys. We thank them for their help we would have been stone cold last without them.

            After the water polo we had a prize giving in the bar and the party started again we were in the company of new friends singing joking and having fun it’s the way of life music and sport are great friendship builders later we played in the partnership tent the music was ok but the atmosphere was brilliant our hosts and friends were all there we were all on a high this was one of the best trips ever                              

                               Monday Day 4

This was the last day we had a small reception at one thirty in the town hall were Mayor Tappe thanked us for coming and presented the band with a gift it was a sad occasion as we had all had the time of our life but like all good things they have to end some where we only hope this was the start of something that will continue in years to come Till next year bye.

Special thanks to all the hosts for showing us such kindness

                            By A Glendinning