Hi and welcome to my website, My name is Jamie Swainston. I am a traditional Highland Bagpiper. I took up playing the pipes at the age of twelve after watching a local pipe band playing at an event. The band was The Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band. Sadly the band folded in the early 1990's after a merger with another local band that did not go successfully. The band however reformed and adopted the name The Newton Aycliffe RBL Pipes and Drums. I have played in many Pipe Bands including Jarrow Ex Service Pipe Band, Cleveland Pipes and Drums, Hebburn Royal British Legion Pipe Band. I have also competed in many piping contests both as a band member and a solo piper. In 2001 i decided to join the Newton Aycliffe RBL Pipes & Drums and was made Pipe Sergeant. In October of 2001 i was promoted to the rank of Pipe Major and the following spring of 2002 the band under my charge represented the UK at a folk festival in Agrigento, Sicily which was organised by CIOFF.

This was possibly the proudest moment of my life.

I decided after much deliberation that i wanted to concentrate more on solo performance so left the band later that year. Now aged 45 i am still playing the pipes, piping is something that i am passionate about. My services are called for on a regular basis, not just in England but North of the Border. I play at a variety of functions and events, Weddings and funerals are my speciality.

The moto that i live by is the Latin moto "Meo Semper" which translated into English means "My best always" and this shows in all my performances and the service that i offer.

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You have heard the rest now book the best and make your event a memorable one.

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Best wishes

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Jamie Swainston.