Regina started playing at the age of 11 in Northern Ireland, her mums idea she says, as the bagpipes were her favourite instrument, she went along to a new local pipe band called Piobairi Uladh in 1974 with mum for moral support, later her sister Ann joined as a snare drummer, along with 2 brothers also drummers (sounds a bit like the Doherty's here!) Her first Pipe Major was Jack McMullen, she says " he was fantastic guy who has since past away." 

She left Ireland in 1984 to get married and settled in England and moved areas quite a bit with her husband's career, so never got back into another Pipe Band, and hence lost touch with the Pipe Band scene. 

She joined a local drumming band called Sambuka and had lots of fun with them, especially as they appeared on one of Jack Dees happy hour shows on the BBC back in 2000. 

She says, "In 2001 I got divorced and set about getting back in touch with the real me!"

She bought a set of indoor practice pipes, just to get back to the swing of things - took them everywhere with her, especially if her mum was around as she loved to see her keep up the practice.  She then went on to purchase a set of small pipes in scale of 'D' so she could play with other musician friends.

In September 2007, she performed in a show that was given the name 'Kilted', with some African friends, and raised over £2,000 for the "Hope for Children" charity - it was after that show she decided to look for a local band to join  - Hence joining UBPB in Nov 2007. 

Regina's favourite CD is 'Spirit of the Glen' by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, she says, "I love the pipes especially when they are played out of their comfort zone with other bands/musicians - there is a band I have heard from Glasgow, and for the life of me the name escapes me at this moment but will be watching out for them as would love to see them live. Basically, I love life and try to live it to the max, love being around friends and family and music of all kinds"

Here are Regina's photos: