It was an honour and a privilege to be asked to play the bagpipes as a surprise for my friend Bob Sharman’s 60th birthday party at the Riverside Club and Bar in Chesterfield last night. I piped the cake in playing Happy Birthday and then had everybody clapping and stamping their feet to a medley of jigs . A fantastic night had by all.
Photo taken by Wendy Grayson
My friendship with Bob began when he came to me for lessons around five years ago. As we got to know each other we realised we had something other than a love of the pipes in common and that was a decent pint down the pub. Eventually Bob quit coming for pipe lessons and insisted I meet him down Kelham Island for a good drink on a weekly basis instead! Five years on and we meet up for a drink just about every other week.
Bob has continued to learn to play the bagpipes on his own and is often seen practising on his practice chanter in his cab parked up at taxi ranks in Sheffield! Unfortunately he’s yet to progress to a full set of pipes, but there’s still hope! He’s impressed me with his rendition of ‘Highland Cathedral’ which he often says ‘could bring tears to a glass a eye!’ . Keep it up Bob!