RAB
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Yet another FOSNI FOPARReading Dan's hilarious Divisions dit, at which I was present, reminded me of another "dance routine" by our Dave's Marauders. This time it was at the famous Culzean Castle in Ayrshire again led by Dave Buchannan and Graeme Hoskins. In front of a huge crowd we carried out 3/4 of an immaculate Beat Retreat until the point where we were to do a Band/Corps of Drums countermarch split.(Harder to type than actually execute). Our illustrious bass drummer, Roy Hallin decided to alter the routine without rehearsal and threw in two silent beats followed by a "bang-bang" about 8 bars too soon. What ensued resembled a routine closer to the eightsome reel than a Beat Retreat with only Len Lewry actually playing any music. I remember passing Doug Lithgow who by this time had his clarinet in two pieces resembling a wagging stick, but Mr Hoskins stood on the dias unmoved.(more likely frozen with fright). By luck or teamwork we somehow got it together again and completed the display. Back in the changing tent, amidst tears of laughter and sympathy for poor ROY(yeaahh!) Mr Hoskins removed his sword and slammed it into the immaculate turf where it see-sawed for about 5 minutes. No Band Fund Barrell that week!!!!!!!
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Dan A
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Culzean Castle Eightsome Reel.Rab has recounted an excellent account of that FOSNI cockup. Culzean castle was a wonderful gig!!!! KG5 !! A long way to go, invariably warm and no fee!!. A good old bread and butter job.
Rab you will remember that we had few characters in that band who liked a drink... mostly in the rear rank. The ensuing melee that you described so well shot their nerves so badly it was even harder to get them out of the bar. Sadly, at least two of those guys are no longer with us.
I would hate folks to think that the newly formed FOSNI Band as it was at the time was incompetent.
DOM Lt Graham Hoskins in his first working band draft, I believe, did an excellent job of getting the band out and about in Scotland and Dave Buchanan as Drum Major also first band and Bill Harrison as Bandmaster did an excellent job of maintaining discipline in this last outpost!!!
I have no doubt that the Bands work and the great camaraderie that existed in those early days contributed significantly to forming the bedrock of exellence that the FOSNI band has always been both musically and socially.
Lets not forget that Graham Hoskins got the 1973 QE2 trip for the band when the only foriegn we did was to Northern Ireland.
He also got us the Lanimer Day parade in Lanark which was agig to remember.!!!! But there you go that was life in the FOSNI Band early 70s!!!! Great dit Rab.
Dan
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RAB
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LANIMER DAY???????Dan, just as I am settling into middle aged comfort, remembering the good times, you've gone and upset my hormones and mental peace by reminding me of Lanimer Day at Lanark. That wasn't a gig that was 7GIGS IN 1 DAY!!! I'm sure SBS selection would have been less torturous(at least they didn't have to hump a Bb Bass on their 30mile yomps) I'll let you provide the dit for that gig (don't forget our dear departed friend GEORGE "Piper" COAD) as the memories are too difficult for me to relate without the presence of my shrink..Yes Dan I hope our present day colleagues are having half as much fun in my dear homeland as we did then...Super times irreplacable!!!!LOL
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revhitchins
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Rab
thanks for bringing up Culzean - it was indeed a formative event; I think these days it might be described as a free-style display. I remember, being the other pot player on that occasion, looking anxiously across to you for some sort of lead - which is probably why I ended up in the clarinet rank until the next counter-march...
Incidentally, I have a couple of phots of that gig, obviously not of the actual display itself. Furthermore, I've been rooting around in the old phot album and am currently trying to find a way of posting one particular image of you as a constituent member of the FOSNI totem pole. No idea? You'll just have to wait and see...
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RAB
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GRAHAM, I would love to see any momento of any time I spent in RMB.
Remember I'm not easily embarrassed or upset..I do however like to gather ammo to fire back at the appropriate time..so bring 'em on..I hope it's nothing to do with my favourite attire..(does purple ring a bell) lol
We haven't yet got round to what your claim to fame was have we???Ho=Ho, let the party commence  
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revhitchins
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oh, yeh - I'd forgotten about that. Still, I can live with those sort of past laurels too...
Reference the purple - don't tell me you still do that sort of thing! I'm sure my old instamatic was never capable of recording images of that genre...
I've been given a heads-up by the web-master on getting phots onto the site; it won't be for a while, though.
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bootybandy
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That's a shame cos I have a lovely shot of Nick Davis's double egger under a waterfall..........Booty :O)
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Len
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With regard to the dit about Culzean Castle and FOSNI band. Remember the Black Isle Highland Show? We did our normal beat retreat, (with the rehearsed split). Alonside the saluting base there was a platform with a highland dance competition taking place, with pipe accommpnement. as we marched off, the announcer was heard to say over the PA system,"thank you the band of Flag Royal Scotland Marines and ireland, and a special round of applause please for the dancers for being able to carry on over that noise."
THAT was when the sword did a wobbly.
Len Lewry
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RAB
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LEN..Thank God you've broken cover at long last, and thank you for correcting my memory regarding the sword wobble..It's so good to have another FOSNI oldie who I actually remember serving with(amongst other things). The Black Isle Show...Oooh the memories  .
I'm still recovering from the "Vino" session you involved me in at the Gunwarf in October, and look forward to the next one. Look forward to seeing some of your own famous dits, and your secrets are always safe with me mate.. 
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admin
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Nice to see you Len.
So, you are a Dit Master? You also seem to have the memory as well... go on, get yer dit box out!
The Highland show at Inverness... bulges ready for sunset... boss gives the lead in... deep breath... CHOKE, COUGH, SPLUTTER, Midges!  I didn't play a note! (Yea, I know, Good news for music lovers! )
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