Thornaby District Burns Pipe band. Photograph courtesy of Sharon Brooke. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Thornaby District Burns Pipe band. Photograph courtesy of Sharon Brooke.
I’d really love to get a hold of the McGarrity Tartan for my mom who is the daughter of one of the people in the picture above (Peter – her name is Jean). She has dementia (to a degree) but has a clear recollection of her family, especially her parents and talks about the band a lot on our regular visits with her. Would anyone know which specific tartan they used?
The gentleman with the bass drum is Robert Gardiner, my maternal Grandfather. The band used to march in various events including the annual Durham Miners” Gala. Band practice took place on the first floor of a property in New Street, Thornaby – opposite the junction with North Street. Robert had served with the Northumberland Fusiliers in India and South Africa before being part of the Expeditionary force in 1914 for which he was awarded the Mons Star. He was also an elected member of Thornaby Borough Council.
This photo has many of the McGarrity family on it, including my Gr Grandfather Thomas McGarrity. He used to pipe in the New Year at the Town Hall in Thornaby. He was also asked to play the music for the Burns Nights celebrations and was often found at local weddings.