Celebrating a Century of Music and Tradition: City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band’s Centenary
Lucy Jackson – CNHPB
This year marks a special milestone for the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band as they celebrated their 100th year in style with a lively, community-centered centenary celebration. From the first strains of pipes to the final swirl of kilts, the day was a vibrant tapestry of music, camaraderie, and tradition that beautifully honoured the legacy of the band and the community it’s served for a century.
The festivities kicked off with a public performance at Nelson’s Church Steps. In a stirring display of regional unity, band members were joined by fellow pipers and drummers from Motueka Highland Pipe Band, Richmond and Districts Pipe Band, and the Celtic Pipe Band. This collaboration embodied the spirit of fellowship that the band has fostered throughout its history, demonstrating how these connections resonate as strongly today as they did a century ago. Adding to the occasion, Mayor Nick Smith, clad in a kilt, expressed the city’s appreciation for the band’s contributions over the decades.
The celebration continued with a heartwarming morning tea at the Rutherford Hotel for past and present members. Stories and memories were shared, linking generations through a common love of piping. Among the guests was Murray Rolton, one of the band’s oldest former members at 96, who helped cut the centenary cake. His presence symbolized the enduring legacy of the band and the countless lives it has touched.
The day’s crowning event was a spirited public ceilidh dance. This lively evening drew members, families, and friends for a great night. From the address to the haggis delivered by band member Steve Clarke to the whisky toss, every detail paid homage to Scottish tradition. The dancing, expertly called by Ali Campbell, had everyone from seasoned dancers to novices enjoying the rhythm. Even the film crew from TVNZ’s Seven Sharp got into the spirit, joining the dancing after capturing the events on film and even sampling the haggis!
For the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band, this centenary is not only a celebration of the past but also a beacon for the future. Founded in 1924, the band has attended Nelson’s most cherished events for generations, from ANZAC Day ceremonies and parades to events like Rose Day and Isel in Bloom, as well as special moments like appearing in the movie Kiwi Flyer. Historically, the band’s Highland Balls, held from the 1940s through the 1980s, were a fixture on Nelson’s social calendar, drawing over 500 guests each year. Though their original home at Rutherford Park was taken down in 2016, the band’s presence in Nelson remains strong and evolving, with the annual Pipes in the Park event at Fairfield House Meadow, next scheduled for February 2, 2025.
The Band remains a robust tutoring band. They invite new learners of all ages to join and are delighted to see renewed interest following their centenary celebration.
The Band would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all involved in making the centenary a reality. Special gratitude goes to Pipe Major James Tomkinson, whose leadership and musical dedication continue to inspire the band, and Drum Sergeant and President Alastair McEwan, whose commitment has been pivotal in sustaining the band’s operations and nurturing its spirit, and leading the band.
Here’s to the Nelson Highland Pipe Band — may the next century be as rich in tradition, community, and music as the first!
