We Need to Rethink Champion of Champions Points for 2025

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As the 2025 pipe band season gets into full swing, bands will have their sights set on two major goals. The pinnacle is clearly winning, or being placed, in the World Championships, followed closely by winning the Champion of Champions award.  This latter achievement is arguably a more meaningful measure of a pipe band’s success as it represents consistency across all the Championship competitions, confirming excellent performances in both MSR…

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Cyril Hall, Zimbabwe

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I rose this morning to learn of the passing of Cyril Hall, Zimbabwe. His friend Aiton Shepherd wrote from Western Australia: ‘Cyril died last night in Mutare.  ‘His eldest son, Bobby, who lives here in Perth, phoned with the sad news. I admit to a few tears. The attached photo [above] was taken by Craig Sked a few years ago at the 100 Guineas solo piping competition in Johannesburg.  By the…

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Kenmore Games/ Johnstone Pipe Band/ Euro Draw

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Despite fluctuating weather forecast predictions, it turned out to be a warm, dry night at this week’s Kenmore Games, writes Jen Mackintosh.  Even the midgies were kind enough to hold off until nearly the end!  Although a small number of entries, it was a good competition with some fine playing, and judge Ronnie Clark was encouraging in his praise when speaking at the prize giving. Above are the winners pictured…

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Pipers and Tunes at Piobaireachd Society Recital

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The Piobaireachd Society’s annual recital will take place in St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street, Edinburgh, on August 10. It is a black tie event for the pipers and the time is 7 for 7.30pm. The beauty of the recital, entitled ‘Classical Pipe Music – Scotland’s Hidden Treasure’, is that there is no break in sound throughout; there is no tuning in the auditorium, one piobaireachd flows seamlessly into the next….

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Rare Book Quest/ Lochaber Gathering Entries/ John’s New Recording

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Avid pipe music collector Marco Borzacca is looking to add the above book, the ‘Dunoon Highland Gathering Collection’, to his growing library. Marco lives in Genoa, Italy. He writes: ‘I’m looking for a vintage bagpipe music book but, despite all my adverts on various facebook’s pages, I have not found it yet, since I realise it is extremely rare and hard to find. ‘So, I was wondering if your magazine can…

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