Goodbye Edinburgh, hello Wellington…

Auckland Police Pipe Band is back from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and preparing to perform closer to home when the prestigious event comes to Wellington in February.

Inspector Scott Webb, the band’s Police Commanding Officer, says the band was honoured to take 21 members to perform at Edinburgh Castle alongside bands from around the world.

“To be invited and play at this prestigious event is a pinnacle in any member’s career - the long hours in trying conditions were all worth it,” says Scott, Acting Centre Manager for Police’s Northern Communications Centre.

“The band represented New Zealand and Police very well. There were 25 performances and it only rained one night - a record for the Tattoo in Scotland’s climate.”

Other police members included band manager Senior Sergeant Dave Ryan (Waitematā), Constable Shane Jamieson (Waikato), Drum Sergeant Glenys Webb (scene of crime officer, Waitematā) and Duncan MacLeod (retired Inspector).

The band “borrowed” Drum Major Andrae Peipi, a Corrections employee, from the Wellington-based New Zealand Police Pipe Band, and drummer Willy Clark, from the Fire Service in Rotorua.

Performers were escorted to Edinburgh Castle along a different route each night by Military Police because of the security situation in Britain.

They also marched through Glasgow and were invited to civic receptions in Glasgow and Edinburgh, receiving a plaque in recognition of their efforts from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is at Westpac Stadium from 18-21 February. “We’re working hard to prepare for Wellington but we’ll put in plenty of other performances before then,” says Scott.