A Brief History of the Sandhill Pipes and Drums (As Memory Serves)
By Pipe Major (Ret.) Ken Nixon
Late in 1961 some members of Sandhill Orange Lodge, two of whom were early stage pipers (Don Vernor and Don Holland), joined with an experienced side drummer, Gord Bennett, to try and form a pipe band.
Edgar Cook, who had worked as an electrician on the same machine maintenance crew with my dad, Jim Nixon, at AV Roe and Company, asked if he would help then get a band started. In turn my dad asked me to come along and help out.
Early in 1962 we started practices at the Sandhill Orange Hall with our first parade being in Bolton, in midsummer of 1962.
Several parts of the uniforms we wore were purchased (used) from the Lorne Scots Quartermaster Stores in the Brampton Armoury. This was done with the kind permission of the Colonel of the Regiment, Lt. Col. E.F. (Ted) Conover. A mention should be made here in regard to the excellent kilt making of Mrs. Helen Happé, who came to our practice nights from Oakville and patiently measured all the band members. New kilts were made for our band and most are still being used today. The tartan pattern is officially known as Ordinary Campbell of Argyll.
From the beginning, with my dad as Pipe Major and Gord Bennett as Drum Sergeant, our numbers gradually increased. A parade schedule was built up and at one point we had up to 16 parades a year. Our largest compliment of active members, number wise, was probably in 1984-1985, with 22 members. Over 50 years, more than 90 people have been active band members at some point, with Sandhill pipes and drums.
Currently, Dave Borrett is the Pipe Major. Mike Nixon continues as Drum Sergeant.