A MILESTONE anniversary will be marked with a special Haddington Pipe Band calendar.

Next year marks a decade of calendars from the pipe band, which has now decided to produce a special best of 10 years’ edition, featuring the pick of the photography commissioned for the calendar over the last decade.

The calendar has proven a popular fundraiser for the pipe band, which regularly performs at Haddington Farmers’ Market.

Ian Sutherland, the band’s chairman, was keeping tight-lipped about what pictures would be selected from the past versions of the calendar.

He said: “This has obviously been a quiet year for us but we did not want to let this anniversary go unmarked.

“We have had really wonderful photos created for the calendar since 2011.

“Nick Callaghan has led the way superbly on this and we have had fantastic support from John Archibald, Garry Menzies and Paul Bock too.

“It’s been a big challenge to whittle the photos from over the years down to a final selection for our 2021 calendar.

“Everyone has their favourites and it hasn’t been easy to agree a final list. We really could have done with more months in the year!

“We are keeping the agreed selection under wraps until the 2021 calendar is published – and then the arguments can begin.”

Previous versions of the calendar have taken on a number of themes, including Haddington Pipe Band at the Movies, Haddington old and new, our tunes our places, and local customs, trades and folklore.

An exhibition of the photographs will again be on show at The Loft, off Haddington’s Court Street, following the calendar launch.

A launch date for the calendar around mid-October is to be announced shortly.

Mr Sutherland thanked everyone who backed the calendar and was hoping for another impressive year.

He said: “The calendar would not be possible without the backing of the many local businesses who support this initiative.

“The band is a voluntary organisation and a charity and we have to raise all the funds for uniforms, instruments, tuition and other expenses ourselves, so we are extremely grateful to those who support this project, to the shops and others who sell the calendar, and to everyone who buys a copy. It really does help us.”

Meanwhile, time is running out for fans of the band to win a special performance.

Shoppers are encouraged to support businesses in the town and pick up a card at participating outlets.

Customers can then spend £10 or more in six different shops involved in the scheme, with the card signed by the shopkeeper.

When the shopper has six signatures, the card can be put in the prize box at the John Gray Centre.

The closing date for submitting cards is Wednesday, with Provost John McMillan drawing the winner the following week.