Lothian & Borders Police open Lead-Drummer spot to applicants

After holding an emergency meeting on September 16th following the resignation of long-time Lead-Drummer Arthur Cook, the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band has decided to put the position up for tender, requesting interested parties to submit their application.

There had been some speculation that a replacement for Cook was already in the works, particularly since it coincided with the resignation of Grade 1 Robert Wiseman Dairies-Vale of Atholl Lead-Drummer Paul Turner.

In a statement, the band said that it is looking for “a proven drummer, with leadership potential to work with a world renowned band and Pipe-Major.” Successful applicants would need to be “established in Grade 1 with a proven ability; driven, motivated and committed; and able to manage, develop and build a corps.”

Since the band is sponsored by a police force, applicants are subject to a background check, but they don’t have to be a member of the police force itself.

The Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band was one of the first Scottish police bands to accept non-officers into its ranks, a practice that it started in the 1960s, and which it has expanded over the years to the point where there are very few pipers and drummers who work with the force.

Gordon McCreadie, Lothian & Borders Police band secretary, said that applications will be accepted before October 2nd, either by e-mail. Phone inquiries can be made to 07917 324612.

Duncan and Turner were pipe-major and lead-drummer, respectively, of the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band for several years together in the 1990s.

Robert Wiseman Dairies-Vale of Atholl also reportedly held an emergency meeting on September 16th to address their own situation, but the result of that gathering is not yet known.