“On this photograph we see pipers (clockwise from left) - D. Laidlaw V.C., W.A. Cocks, J. Robertson, G.V. Charlton, R.W. Clarke. The photograph was taken at the home of W.A. Cocks at Ryton on Tyne some time in 1927-28. Amongst those present was G.V. Charlton, who along with Cocks, helped to revive interest in pipes in the region, writing many articles for the press.”
This picture is from the FARNE website, of which I’ve written before.
The Pipes of Three Nations was a series of 78 RPM discs made in 1928 . It featured Willie Clarke on the Irish pipes, Anthony Charlton on the Northumbrian pipes, and Piper Major James Robertson on the Highland pipes. A commerative concert staged in Dublin in the early 90s (I think) featured Ronan Browne, Kathryn Tickell, and Terry Tully in the above featured roles. Why they couldn’t get a Highlander to play Highland pipes I’m not sure although Terry’s a fine musician anyway. (My apologies of Terry IS from Glasgow or thereabouts! I seem to recall that he’s from Kildare or Offaly or…)
If you wish to read more about Willie Clarke go here. Looks like a Coyne set he has there. It’s also pictured on the bio page, along with a 3/4 set that perhaps is his own make - not quite so nicely turned out. You can buy the Anthony Charlton tracks on a record called ‘Wor Nanny’s a Mazor’ (PHCD2K1). I have a snippet of Willie Clarke playing Miss McLeod, he was a lovely old time player, a nice tight style of playing. Seamus Ennis and his father were friends with Willie, I’ve a tape with Seamus playing Willie’s version of Down the Broom, which sounds a bit like what the Rowsomes called the Broom reel, in O’Neill’s this is called Sheehan’s reel but Leo Rowsome (and Liam Walsh) started out the first part a bit different, with a run up to the second octave E. Willie Clarke also recorded his version of Down the Broom.
