FOR 20 years, or more, the pipes and drums were a familiar sound and sight in Blackburn, thanks to Glenside Pipe Band.

The bandsmen and dancers appeared regularly at carnivals, field days, and Remembrance Day parades, in their colourful Royal Stuart tartan.

The band had its roots in the West End youth club, but moved on and developed into Glenside in 1954.

Pipe Major was Bernard Taylor, a stern, but fair, former Irish Guardsman, better known as Barney', while another ex-guardsman, Derek Cartmell, was his right-hand man.

And such was their influence that many bandsmen went on to join the Guards.

Members came from all walks of life.

There were those out of national service and school students, but they developed a great sense of camaraderie.

While the regime was strict, the band provided a good social platform, too.

Maybe you remember some of the band, people such as Brian Nolan, who performed in all four sections during his time, as tenor, bass, pipe player and drum major.

And then there was Flogger' Hoskins, who once made the band's furry headgear, known as feather bonnets, from an old fur coat, shaped round medicine balls and orange boxes!

Glenside's headquarters was the Prince of Wales, in Montague Street, and members spent many hours a week practising in its first floor rooms.

They played all the public's favourite Scottish tunes.

Amazing Grace, for example, made a lot of funds and allowed the band to update the uniforms and regalia - as well as Scotland the Brave.

Another popular request at the time was Elvis' 1961 number one hit Wooden Heart'.

Ever-evolving, until its demise in the 1970s, the band also recruited dancers and, over the years, romance blossomed between members - with as many as 14 couples.