Amount so far raised for
charity by the pied piper:
2009/10: - £1125.09
2010/11:- £439.86
01353 688275 - info@tonypearson.co.uk
When you say, “Bagpipes” to most people, it conjures up images of Kilts, Tartans, Haggis, Sword Dances and all things Scottish. The reason for this is that in Victorian times it was decided that Scottish regiments of the British Army would play the “Great Highland Pipe”, as it is correctly described. This instrument is mouth-blown, has three drones, is very loud and is designed for playing outdoors. Until then the popularity of the Bagpipe had been slowly diminishing and this decision probably helped to save this particular version of the instrument. Could this be why so many Pipe Bands wear quasi-military uniforms?
The other version of the pipes, which has never died out in the British Isles, is the Northumbrian Smallpipes, which is an 'indoor' instrument. These are bellows-blown and the chanter has a parallel bore as opposed to the conical one of the G.H.P. Instruments with parallel bores are much less strident than those that are conical. That is why a Clarinet (parallel) sounds so different from a Saxophone (conical).
From the Middle Ages at least, bagpipes of various kinds were to be found all over Europe and they still are. Nearly every European country has its own version and these examples represent the results of a continuous development from then until now, for in many of these regions, the popularity of the bagpipe has never diminished.
The type of Bagpipe the Piper plays, is a version that could be heard all over Europe from the Middle Ages until the end of the 17th. Century. It is mouth-blown and is a true ‘bagpipe’ in that the chanter has a conical bore. Unlike the G.H.P and the Northumbrian Smallpipes, it has only one drone.
The style of his costume is middle to late 17th. Century although the hat is more Tudor. You can't wear the more correct broad brimmed one for the period, when playing the bagpipes; the brim would collide with the drone going over the shoulder!
The woolen fabric of the Hat, Coat and Breeches comes from the same source as that used for the ceremonial dress that you see at "Trooping The Colour". The buttons on the coat and breeches are made in Hand-Cast Pewter and the Latchet Shoes are the same as each other i.e. there is no difference between left and right foot. It is said, that the soldiers in Cromwell's Model Army were issued with three, which they rotated between the feet, each day a different one being rested. That way the shoes lasted longer than they otherwise would, because the wear was evenly distributed. Even now, when a pair of modern shoes is discarded, it is usually because only one has worn out.
The word ‘pied’ means bi-coloured. It started with the Magpie, which is black and white. The Pied Piper of Hamelin was dressed in Red and Yellow. You can see from the picture, that the Piper's colours are Green and Brown.
The Piper will help to raise Ely’s profile as a Tourist Centre and a vibrant Market Town. He will be available to draw attention to events that are taking place, lead processions and help raise money for local charities, who are invited to contact him if they would like to collect on the occasions he performs in public. During his "Inaugural Quarter Day Walk" the beneficiary will be EARTH www.earthely.co.uk.
The Piper will also be available for private functions, by negotiation.
He has his own "Good Cause", which is raising the local profile of the NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE. Nation-wide, 4% of the population are prepared to donate and apart from a very small minority who refuse on religious grounds, everyone is very pleased to receive. This is a very unacceptable discrepancy. At present, Ely has the same score. As it goes up (hopefully) it will be registered below. To find out how you can become a donor, click on the link in blue above.
2009
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Saturday June 20 |
3.pm. from Oliver Cromwell's House. |
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Saturday July 4 |
1.pm. Palace Green |
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Saturday July 18 |
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Tuesday July 21 |
Press Launch - Oliver Cromwell's House |
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Wednesday July 29 |
BBC2 FILMING |
Ely Cathedral |
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Saturday August 8th |
PLAYING IN THE MARKET/CITY CENTRE |
12. noon - 1.00.pm. |
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Saturday August 22nd |
PLAYING IN THE MARKET/CITY CENTRE |
12. noon - 1.00.pm. |
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Sunday September 13th |
HERITAGE DAY |
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Saturday September 19th |
Depart Babylon Gallery (by the river) 3.pm. |
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Sat./Sun. September 26/27 |
LITTLE DOWNHAM ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL |
12.noon - 12. 45. each day |
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Sunday October 11th |
CITY OF ELY COUNCIL CIVIC SERVICE |
Ely Cathedral |
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Thursday October 15th |
Mayor's Reception at Ely Museum, welcoming Danish visitors |
5.pm. |
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Saturday October 17th |
APPLE DAY |
Market Place with the Town Crier from 9.45.am. |
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Friday November 20th |
12 noon |
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Tuesday November 24th |
6.p.m. |
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Friday November 27th |
COTTENHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE |
2.pm. |
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Friday November 27th |
ANGLIA TELEVISION |
6.p.m. |
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Tuesday December 8th |
1.45.pm. National Blood Service Promotion |
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Saturday December 19th |
YULETIDE QUARTER DAY WALK |
11.a.m. from Oliver Cromwell's House |
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Thursday December 24th |
10.30.am. |
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2010 | ||
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Saturday March 20th |
SPRING QUARTER DAY WALK |
Depart from Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Saturday April 24th. |
ST GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATION |
11.00.AM |
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IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER THERE WILL BE JUST ONE PERFORMANCE, IN THE BABYLON GALLERY- RIVERSIDE, AT 12. NOON. |
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Saturday May 1st |
Details to be announced. |
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Saturday June 19th |
MID-SUMMER QUARTER DAY WALK |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 2.30.pm. |
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Sunday July 4th |
AQUAFEST |
Lavender Green - 11.45.am |
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Saturday July 24th |
PLAYING AND COLLECTING FOR COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Saturday August 7th |
PLAYING AND COLLECTING FOR COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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August 13 - 15 |
Gloucester |
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Monday August 30th |
Launch of: |
Ely Market Place 11.00.a.m. |
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Sept 3rd - 5th |
's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands |
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Sunday Sept 12th |
HERITAGE DAY IN ELY |
Afternoon |
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Saturday Sept 18th |
MICHAELMAS QUARTER DAY WALK |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Saturday October 2nd |
PLAYING AND COLLECTING FOR COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Saturday Oct 16th |
APPLE DAY |
Market Place with the Town Crier from 9.45.am. Then to Palace Green. |
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Saturday October 30th |
PLAYING AND COLLECTING FOR COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Saturday Dec 18th |
YULETIDE QUARTER DAY WALK |
Depart Oliver Cromwell's House 11.am. |
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Friday Dec 24th |
CHRISTMAS EVE BUSKING |
City Centre |
Click on thumbnails to enlarge.
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St. George's Day Celebrations with "THE PHOENIX MUMMERS" on Saturday April 24th. 2010 in Ely. |
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"THE ILLUSTRATED MAN" |
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Filming by Anglia Television |
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MICHAELMAS QUARTER DAY WALK |
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Wedding at Coveney on Saturday 18th. July 2009 Playing for Playford dancers, "Fendango" on Palace Green in Ely 04.07.09 |
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