The Drovers, the 6th offering of the Devilish Publishing 'New' March Journal, is a brass band march by the pen of Lee Morris.
Its theme is the Historical and important link, to the towns growth and prosperity, over the 250 year development of The Cattle Droving Trade; walking cattle in mass herds a thousand strong put Wetherby central on an economic trade route between the Highlands of Scotland and the city of London, with its demand for fresh meat 1600’s to the 1850’s.
The Burgeoning market town, which was also a crossing point of the oft’ turbulent river Wharfe made it an ideal break point for the highland Drovers.Bagpipe music wasn’t an uncommon accompaniment with the herds as it settled the cattle at a steady pace and no doubt broke the tedium of the long 4 week march between Crieff and Norfolk, then onward to London.The Scot’s lilt can be picked out here in the pacey sections of music.
The herdsmen travelled light and slept most nights out in the open, wrapping a plaid about them and keeping the dogs to hand on guard duty -- the softer sound of the pipes perhaps can be heard around the campfire as they settled in for the evening.
