Tayside Police make L-D change
John Moneagle has resigned as Lead-Drummer of the Grade 1 Tayside Police of Dundee, Scotland, and corps drummer Ian Tobin has taken over in a move that had apparently been agreed to several years ago.
Moneagle relinquished the post so that he could commit more time to pipe band adjudication, teaching and will continue to play, but with the Grade 4A Badenoch & Strathspey Pipe Band.
According to sources, Moneagle and Tobin had agreed on the arrangement more than two years ago when Moneagle had already led the Tayside Police corps for two years.
“It is an honour to be asked to take on any Grade 1 corps,” Tobin said. “I am excited at the prospect of running another corps in Grade 1. I have a great bunch of guys and girls ready willing and able to put a disappointing 2008 behind them and move forward to what will hopefully be a rewarding 2009.”
Tobin was Lead-Drummer of the Grade 1 Vale of Atholl Pipe Band from 2002 to 2005, when current Lead-Drummer Paul Turner took over and Tobin left to join the Tayside Police.
Tayside Police struggled to field a competition band in 2008, attending only the World and British championships. The band placed thirteenth out of 14 bands in the Grade 1 Qualifier competition at the World’s.
All the best to Ian and the rest of the drum corps at Tayside for the 2009 season. Good luck also to John at Badenoch. I’m sure both you guys are going to do a great job next season.