IT is not every day you see a man in a kilt walking along the beach playing the bagpipes, but that is the lengths part-time Surf Beach resident Andrew Fraser will go to to promote his band’s upcoming Batemans Bay concert.
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Mr Fraser is a member of the Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band, which will present its ‘Up and Awa’ concert on Saturday, June 20, at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.
Mr Fraser took advantage of Saturday’s warm weather to play for anyone who would listen at Mosquito Bay, Surf Beach, and Batehaven, and, with the help of two daughters Stella and Charlotte, handed out flyers for the event.
Mr Fraser, who is the son of former much-loved Canberra MP Jim Fraser, has been playing since he was nine.
“I just love it,” he said.
“It makes plenty of noise and people seem to enjoy it.
“People tend to gravitate around and they either say ‘that’s noisy’ or ‘gee that takes me back’.
“It’s lovely when people come up and they’ve got a story about the pipes.”
Mr Fraser said the June 20 concert would “bring a little bit of Europe” to the coastal winter, with lots of “good, traditional” Scottish music, as well as more modern pieces including rock and African-style drumming.
Mr Fraser expected the concert would feature 21 pipers as well as a full drum corps of up to 15.
The Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band has represented Scottish culture in Canberra since 1928 and has played all around the world.
Mr Fraser praised pipe major Athol Chalmers, who has led the band to the world championships in Scotland twice.
He hopes to see plenty of people at the concert.
“Our (Surf Beach) neighbours would have heard a bit of piping, but we’ll be playing for a bigger audience this time,” Mr Fraser said.
“(The concert) is for everyone and we hope everyone enjoys it.”
Tickets, at $15 for adults, $10 concession and $5 for children, are available by phoning 4472 4117 or from the club.