When Hank Strubin moved to Bowen Island in 1991, he was happy to discover that the community held an annual festival. One of the highlights was the pipe band that played at that first Bowfest Strubin attended but, the year after, he found the program lacking. "In 1992, a lone piper came marching down the hill and the year after that, there was nothing," he recalls. When the BC Regiment started an Irish Pipes and Drums band, Strubin was delighted and invited them to participate in Bowfest. That was 2004 and, since then, the band has returned nearly every year.
Ahead of Bowfest, Strubin usually drops by the Undercurrent office to promote the BC Regiment's Irish Pipes and Drums and this year is no exception. The 93-year-old arrives on his scooter that sports the Canadian flag. He's brought along a bag full of memorabilia about his connection to the band and a wealth of stories about the past. And he proudly wears a T-shirt that says: Faugh A Ballagh. "It means 'Clear the Way,'" Strubin says with gusto. "And it was the battle cry of the Irish Fusiliers."
Strubin has a fascination with the Irish Fusilier Regiment that had been sent by Britain to "bail out the Canadians" in the war of 1812. Strubin particularly likes the fact that the members of the pipe and drum band wear the same uniforms that the soldiers back then fought in.
In 2002, the Irish Fusiliers of Canada and the British Columbia Regiment were formally merged and the BC Regiment (BCR) Irish Pipes and Drums became a symbol of the two regiments. "In consideration of that, they started the Irish Pipes and Drums," Strubin said, adding that he was so pleased with this that he sent them a contribution. "That was a personal gesture," he said. "Since they are an independent band, they have to cover their expenses including their own uniforms."
In January 2004, Strubin received a thank-you letter for his donation with a note that he should "identify [himself] to Pipe Major Barrett or any other member of the band" if he attended a band event.
Strubin was set to take part in a mess dinner of the B.C. Regiment and heard the BCR Irish Pipes and Drums there.
"That's when the idea hit me," he said. "I went up and made myself known to them. I found out that they are pretty good guys. And I was sorry about the fact that there was no band at our Bowfest."
Strubin decided to ask the BCR Irish Pipes and Drums if they would consider coming to Bowfest and offered to look after the expenses and the details.
A new tradition was born and Strubin adds with a smile, "I didn't expect it to run over so many years."
In 2008, Strubin was an honorary life time member of the Vancouver Irish Pipes and Drums Society and he takes great pride in the band's achievements. Two years ago, they were invited to Ireland by the Irish Regiment. Strubin treasures a picture of them, decked out in their finery and leading the St. Partick's Day parade in Belfast, carrying the Canadian flag.
The B.C. Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums band has been part of Bowfest every year, missing only the 2009 festivities when Strubin was away, celebrating his grandson's wedding on Saltspring Island.
For the other years, he has covered travelling expenses as well as lunch for band members. "I'm doing it because I said I would," he said, adding that he was thinking of taking a break this year.
But when he suggested that the band would not participate in 2012, the Bowfest organizers balked. "I had a fall and the band was over in England so I thought it might be best to skip this year," Strubin said. "But when I approached them, they were horrified about the idea."
Strubin added that having the Irish Pipes and Drums at Bowfest really makes a difference for the audience.
Strubin was born in Switzerland near Basel and recalls the local Fastnacht celebration with fondness.
"We went to every parade and the bands were a big thing for me," he said. "In Liestal, the Fastnacht was a three day event. Every neighbourhood had a drum and fife band and at 4 in the morning, every door in the city burst open. Everyone came out to join the fun in costumes and the bands led the parades."
When Strubin came to Vancouver in 1924, he sought out similar festivities and made it a point to participate.
For 2013, Strubin hopes to find a solution where he doesn't need to be involved at the same level. "It used to be a two-pronged thing. It was my contribution to Bowfest but it was also meant to be an outing for the band. I realized that they really enjoy coming to Bowen," he said. "Next year, I'd like to get together with the [Bowfest]committee and find a way to keep the tradition alive."
He sees the band as an integral part of the celebration.
For Bowfest, the band usually takes part in the parade and then marches over to the festival field to play a few tunes in front of the beer garden. Then Strubin raises his glass in a toast to the band: Faugh A Ballagh!
Please join in and toast the man who has, year after year, brought merry tunes to our island's festival.
