The Ashbourne & District Pipe Band was formed originally in early 1976 by a small group of enthusiasts, when Ken Hunt and his brother Gordon approached Alistair Brown and asked him to teach them to play the Bagpipes.
Shortly afterwards they were joined by Ian Ratcliffe and David Frith. As a result of a visit to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School by Pipe Major Brown, a number of youngsters became interested in learning to play the drums - and so the Ashbourne & District Pipe Band was born. David Frith plays with the band to this day (and is the current Chairman).
The band's first public engagement was leading the Brereton Royal British Legion Remembrance Day Parade in 1978 and has performed this duty for them every since.
In August 1979 sufficient funds were raised to buy new uniforms, and the Tartan chosen was Ancient MacKenzie as a tribute to the original President Captain C.J.MacKenzie.
The band has done well in competitions in the past, including British Grade 4 Champions, and retaining the Grade 4 All-England title for two years running (We hope to do that well again soon).
