Jeannie Alexander’s knitted headbands raise £200 for Forres and District Pipe Band
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A LOCAL granny has been busy knitting to raise funds for her favourite musicians.
Sales of Jeannie Alexander’s knitted headbands have so far raised £200 for Forres and District Pipe Band (FDPB), an organisation her family has had close ties to for generations.
The 86-year-old from Tailwell, Forres initially made a headband for her grandaughter in Fife.
Jeannie said: “The first one went down well at her school so she asked me if I could make more for her mates. When they asked how much they would be, I said that a donation to FDPB would do.”
Word got around in Fife and Forres so Jeannie started making them to order in various sizes and patterns in the colour of the buyer’s choice.
In addition to donations to the band, she now also asks her customers to provide a ball of wool.
Jeannie’s father was a Cameron Highlander who played drums for the regiment and occasionally with Forres Pipe Band. Two more of their seven brothers also played the drums for the Cameron Highlanders and Forres Pipe Band. One of them filled in as drum major for the local group when required. A third brother who was not in the regiment played drums in the Forres band for a short time and Jeannie herself is a dab hand on the side drum ... but never played in a band!
FDPB president and Lord lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, was pleasantly surprised to hear about Jeannie’s efforts.
He said: “Jeannie has supported many of the band’s community engagements. But it is unexpected contributions like this which demonstrate the affection the townspeople has for its pipe band. FDPB is looking forward to parading on the High Street once pandemic restrictions are sufficiently relaxed. Jeannie’s contribution will go a long way in meeting the costs of re-structuring and setting up after lockdown.”
FDPB held its first live practice for 18 months in Grant Park on June 6. Band chairman John Channon confirmed the musicians have also kept up online practices, tuition sessions and social events.
He said: “Most of the members kept their instruments well maintained so it was a pleasant surprise when we sounded like a proper pipe band towards the end of practice. It will be some time before we will be able to practice indoors and participate in public events.”
Gordon Roy reluctantly resigned his position as pipe major because of work-related issues.
John said: “We are indebted for all he has contributed during his five-year tenure. Our acting pipe major is Johnathan Scott who joined as youngster nearly 20 years ago.”
