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Remembered Today:

'Burning Mill at Messines'/Mendinghem


Mark Hone

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I am keen to get hold of the music for 'The Burning Mill at Messines' by Pipe Major John Spoore and 'Mendinghem/Bandinghem' by Lester Simpson. I have a keen piper coming up the school and he is eager to learn some Great War related tunes in preparation for future battlefield tours. Any help much appreciated.

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I am keen to get hold of the music for 'The Burning Mill at Messines' by Pipe Major John Spoore and 'Mendinghem/Bandinghem' by Lester Simpson. I have a keen piper coming up the school and he is eager to learn some Great War related tunes in preparation for future battlefield tours. Any help much appreciated.

John Spoore is still an active member of the London Scottish Regimental Association, and if you Google that august body (sorry, haven't got the address with me) you should find a contact address/phone number who should be able to put you in touch with John

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FWIW, John also does a superb rendition of Burns' Ode to a Haggis, as I'm sure Paul would agree. :lol:

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FWIW, John also does a superb rendition of Burns' Ode to a Haggis, as I'm sure Paul would agree. :lol:

Seconded!

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Thanks, I'll try that. A friend of mine who is a music teacher has offered to transcribe them from a CD recording but I'd like to save him that task. Does anyone have contact details etc for Lester Simpson?

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  • Admin

http://www.nomasters.co.uk/nomasterscontact.html

You could try getting in touch with these folk. Last time I rang I spoke to Georgina Boyes who will probably be able to put you in touch with Lester

Simpson.

Michelle

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Thanks, I'll try that. A friend of mine who is a music teacher has offered to transcribe them from a CD recording but I'd like to save him that task. Does anyone have contact details etc for Lester Simpson?

You might be able to get him through here -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/local_radio/fol...e_feature.shtml

The track you want is on "Will ye go to Flanders" and also "Standing in Line"

Owen Hales

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Thanks for the advice. I have both tunes on the CDs you mention, Owen, but as I say I'd like to get hold of the sheet music to save my friend the job of transcribing them from recordings. Does anyone know of a 'straight' version of 'Burning Mill' on CD? I quite like the electronic accompaniment on the 'Will Ye Go To Flanders?' version but would like to hear a pure pipes rendition. Incidentally Michael Morpurgo chose this as one of his 'Desert Island Discs' some years ago. They played the Peace Concert version from 'Will Ye Go To Flanders'. Sue Lawley annoyed me at the time by not bothering to find out what the title referred to and clearly thought it was just odd.

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Mark, I assume you have already seen this CD by Lester Simpson?

Lester Simpson CD

As regards sheet music, it could be worthwhile contacting the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSBPA) who may be able to source a supplier...

I also see that your interest goes way bay to 2003, so i also presume that you have the background to the tune of the Burning Mill at Messines and where it was....? http://www.thespec.com/article/614742

Hope this helps

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks to all who replied. Unfortunately I've got absolutely nowhere. I've had no reply from either Lester Simpson or the London Scottish Association. I shall try the RSBPA as you suggest, Kevin. The 'location' of the 'missing' site of the windmill was discussed at length on another thread when the story appeared in the Canadian press. As I recall, it's a complete non-story. The London Scottish memorial does indeed stand on, or very close to, the site of the windmill and people have known that for years.

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Mark, disappointed you haven't had any reply

Lester is part of No Masters Co-operative, and they are featuring The Burning Mill at Messines CD (you can also listen to it) at:

http://www.nomasters.co.uk/

Contact seems to be by telephone or post, no email/website (unless through the Shop)

Ask if they can supply the sheet music.

Lester also has an entry on LinkedIn by which you should be able to contact him

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  • 4 weeks later...

Oh, dear. I've sent e-mails to all of the addresses kindly suggested by Pals in this thread and to date have not received a single reply. That's very unusual in my experience, but the hunt goes on!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Lester Simpson has now very kindly got in touch with me and is going to send me the music for his 'Mendinghem'.

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