Meet Your Neighbor: Robert Laverock
We have some truly fascinating folks here in Williams Park and for this edition of Meet Your Neighbor, I caught up with Robert Laverock. Robert has lived with his family on Bernard Way since March of this year (living across Atlanta Road before that), and recently competed in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. So pour a tumbler of your best Macallan and join me as I learn more about Robert and his incredible accomplishment.
Robert has been playing the bagpipes since he was a wee lad (over 25 years ago), thanks to his long line of Scottish heritage. Robert is a first generation American. His dad was a drummer and both of his grandparents were pipers in a band. Robert says, “The most rewarding part of piping for me is being able to have that connection with my heritage. My mother passed away this past year and it was always very important to her that I know my Scottish heritage and family.”
Robert plays with the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band from Houston, Texas. He is one of their "fly-in" players and they compete a few times throughout the year across the country. The main focus is always on the August trip to Scotland and the World Pipe Band Championships. His band competes in grade 2 (the second highest level in band competition). This year, there were 30 bands from Scotland, Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in his grade. After a 2nd place finish in 2018, the band was aiming to take the top spot this year and were crowned World Champions at the end of the day. Congratulations to Robert and the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band on this wonderful accomplishment!
Back home, Robert spends time with his wife, Ashley, an art history professor at Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta, and their two boys, Ethan, 6, and Ciaran, 4, as well as their two Chiweenie dogs, Ollie and Ajax. You can find their family enjoying the many WPN community events throughout the year or dining out at Tasty China on Atlanta Road. Be sure to say hello and congratulate Robert if you see him out and about in Williams Park Neighborhood!