History
The Band was originally formed in 1946 as the Birmingham Scottish Pipe Band and for a short period known as the City of Birmingham Pipe Band. It became affiliated with the West Midlands Fire Service in 1992.
The Band has performed at military tattoos at the National Indoor Arena, concerts at Symphony Hall (Birmingham) and Rod Stewart concerts at Villa Park and the NEC Arena. It also regularly participates in parades such as St. Patrick’s Day, Remembrance Day and Fire Fighter Memorial Parades. As well as minor contests in England and Scotland, major contests have included the annual World Championships in Glasgow, which attracts around 250 Bands from as many as sixteen countries and 40,000 spectators. The band also successfully competed in Canada in the 70’s and more recently in Belgium.
The West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band has a proud record of charity fund raising on behalf of various charities including the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund. For the last few years the band has run Burns Suppers which have all been well attended.
PIPE MAJORS
| Birmingham Scottish Pipe Band | City of Birmingham Pipe Band |
|---|---|
|
1947 – 1948 Peter Rankine
|
1989 – 1991 Pat Cox |
|
1948 – 1954 Cyril Meredith
|
1991 – 1992 Andy Thomson |
|
1954 – 1960 Jimmy Muir
|
|
|
1960 – 1961 Jimmy Simpson
|
West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band
|
|
1961 – 1962 Bill Brady
|
1992 – 1993 Andy Thomson
|
|
1962 – 1966 Davie Graham
|
1993 – 1997 Davie Walkenshawe
|
|
1966 – 1973 Bob Forbes
|
1997 – 1998 Pat Cox
|
|
1973 – 1978 Johnny Fitt
|
1998 – 2006 Keith Walker
|
|
1978 – 1983 Roger Swindon
|
2006 – 2014 Robert Gardner
|
|
1983 – 1984 Hugh Stevenson
|
2014 – 2016 Richard Stewart
|
|
1984 – 1986 James Bassett
|
2016 – 2020 Robert Gardner |
|
1986 – 1989 Pat Cox
|
2021 – Present Henry Cleaver |