Saturday’s Craigmount Junior competition has been cancelled. The announcement was made last night. Organisers say they will contact all entrants individually.
In a statement they say: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances causing the event to no longer be financially viable, it is with regret that we advise that the Solo Competition on 3rd December is cancelled. We will contact all entrants in due course.’
This will be a disappointment to many of the young pipers and drummers who have entered, especially as it is now too late to enter the parallel contest being held at Calderhead High School, Shotts, on the same day. Let’s hope Craigmount can re-establish their competition, for many years a showcase for young piping and drumming talent in the Edinburgh and wider area.
For those who had intended going to Craigmount for a listen, why not divert to Shotts instead? Not too far along the M8 and you’ll turn off before most of the major road works. Calderhead High School has excellent facilities and no parking problems.
On a brighter note the organisers of the annual ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contest run by the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band, have sent this:
The popular Pipe Majors’ Wheel of Fortune competition will be held on Saturday 11th February 2017 in Danderhall Miners Club. Hosted by the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band, the event will celebrate a decade (and a bit) of what is a well-established and much-loved contest on Scotland’s solo piping calendar.
Announcing the date on behalf of the band, Pipe Sergeant Mike Knott said: ‘The Wheel of Fortune always attracts a field of top-class pipers and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Danderhall, where our band was formed in 1947. We practice in the Miners Club and we’re delighted to once again hold our competition in the community where it all began for us.’
The price of entry to next year’s event will be reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s. P/Sgt Knott explained the reasoning behind the reduced ticket price:
‘Our band secretary was speaking to Jock Elliott of G1 Reeds at last year’s competition. G1 have been good supporters of our event over the years and Jock suggested to him that the £15 entry price might be a bit steep for some people. While our event is a fundraiser for the band, we want it to be affordable. The ticket price for next year’s competition is the same as it was in 2006, when the Wheel of Fortune was given its first spin.’
The line-up for 2017 will be revealed on New Year’s Day. Until then, The City of Edinburgh Pipe Band wishes pipers and drummers across the world a very happy, if belated, St Andrew’s Day.
Further details:
- The City of Edinburgh pipe band competes in Grade 2 and is the senior band in Scotland’s capital.
- The Wheel of Fortune competition provides a unique opportunity to see some of Scotland’s top pipers perform in an informal and relaxed environment where musical expression and entertainment come to the fore.
- Douglas Murray was the Wheel of Fortune champion in 2016. He is pictured top with adjudicators P/M Ian McLellan and P/M Barry Donaldson.
- Next year’s competition will be held on Saturday 11th February in Danderhall Miners Club, Edmonstone Road, Danderhall, EH22 1QU.
- Entry to the event is £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s. The competition begins at 12.00pm prompt, with doors open from 11.30am.
- For enquiries about the competition, please contact Paul White by calling 07941 679015 or sending an email to paulwhite2@blueyonder.co.uk
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