That was him telt

THE late Bobby Colgan, a former drummer with Jimmy Shand’s band, recalled the band playing at an annual ball at Balmoral Castle in the presence of Her Majesty and Prince Philip.

A team of Scottish country dancers took to the floor. Towards the end of the last set piece they stopped prematurely and left the floor. The imperturbable Shand and his band played to the end.

Lined up to meet the royal couple, Prince Philip pounced: “Ah, Mr Shand, the dancers beat you to the finish tonight.”

Quietly but deliberate Jimmy looked the prince in the eye and said: “I played whit I wis telt.” Arthur Greenan,

East Linton.