The West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band is a traditional Pipe Band based on the Highland Bagpipe with accompanying Side and Tenor Drummers. Members are volunteers from all sections of the community and of widely varying ages. Currently the membership includes serving and retired Firefighters and serving Police Officers.
The Band was originally formed in 1946 as the Birmingham Scottish Pipe Band and amalgamated with the Fire Service in 1992.
It competes in contests throughout the UK under the backing of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and also appears at local events such as Parades, Carnivals, Fire Service functions etc. These have included Military Tattoos at the National Indoor Arena and concerts at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Rod Stewart concerts at Villa Park and the NEC Arena and parades such as St Patrick’s Day Parade and Remembrance Day Parade. 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 Band wears Scottish uniform with Ancient Red Macpherson tartan. For formal occasions, such as Remembrance Day Parade, the traditional military style uniform is used, complete with feather bonnets and plaids. The No. 2 daywear style uniform is worn for less formal events and competitions. Uniform items are supplied to members on loan free of charge as are instruments, although most Pipers eventually buy there own Bagpipe as it is an individual instrument and tends to be a lifetime hobby.
New recruits are always welcome and tuition for both Piping and Drumming is free. Age is no limit, but physically a child less than ten years of age is unlikely to be able to handle the instruments.
Practices are held at the Safeside complex, West Midlands Fire Service HQ, Vauxhall Road, Birmingham B7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
If you are interested in joining or have any queries regarding availability of the Band, please email us at pipeband@wmfs.net
