On the day that the European Pipe Band Championships are taking place in Forres Morayshire the RSPBA has announced that the contest will stay in the north for the next three years – in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.
The promoter’s PR company issued the following: ‘Inverness is set to be the new home of the European Pipe Band Championships for the next three consecutive years. The announcement comes at the end of the 2018 European Pipe Band Championships, which took place today (Saturday 30th June) in Forres.
For the next three years, the European Pipe Band Championships, under the branding of Piping Inverness, will be held in Bught Park, in the heart of the city. Saturday 29th June 2019 will mark the first of the three annual events, bringing hundreds of pipers and drummers and highland dancers to the popular park, which along with food and drink, traditional craft stalls and live entertainment, will make it a fun-filled family day out.
The Championships are expected to bring significant economic benefit to Inverness and the surrounding area over the next three years. Piping Inverness was selected to host the European Pipe Band Championships by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), following a competitive tender won by LCC Live Event Services (LCC Live), which will deliver the event.
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RSPBA’s Chief Executive, Ian Embelton, said: ‘The RSPBA was extremely impressed with Piping Inverness’ bid to host the European Pipe Band Championships over the next three years. It put forward an impressive case for the Championships to remain in the north of Scotland, this time in Inverness. We’re looking forward to working with Piping Inverness to evolve the Championships over the next three years and welcome the very best pipers and drummers from around the world to Inverness.’
Les Kidger, Director of LCC Live, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing the European Pipe Band Championships to Inverness. Not only will the event bring significant economic benefit to the city, but it will showcase Inverness and the surrounding area to visitors from around the world for one of the most illustrious events in the Scottish calendar.’
Welcoming the news that Inverness is to host this prestigious event, Provost and Leader of City of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael, said: ‘This is fantastic news for the Highlands that the European Pipe Band Championships will be hosted in Inverness for the next three years. As one of the premiere competitions on the annual pipe band circuit it will be a privilege to welcome The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, competitors and band followers to Inverness. On behalf of City of Inverness Councillors and The Highland Council we are delighted that the competition will remain hosted in the north of Scotland, following on from the excellent achievements by the event in Forres.’
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She added: ‘Events of this nature are vital boosts to the economic vibrancy of the locations in which they are hosted, and Inverness is well placed to receive both competitors and the many visitors that will come to the event. The Championships add to the growing number of City Events which are all enhanced by our own Events and Festivals Programme, supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund. I very much look forward to attending the European Pipe Band Championships in 2019 in Inverness.’
The European Pipe Band Championships have been held in Forres for the last six years. It’s Chieftain and the Chairman of Piping At Forres, Alan James commented: ‘It has been an honour to be able to announce that the Championships will be moving just along the road to Inverness. This is great news for the Highlands that the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has chosen to locate the European Pipe Band Championships in Inverness from 2019. This will continue to encourage the pipe bands from the Highlands and Islands as well as the North East to attend. We wish the new organisers all the best for the next three years and we look forward to attending and showing our support at the Championships in 2019.’
In the picture up top City of Inverness Pipe Band is joined by Provost and Leader of City of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael and LCC Live staff to announce Inverness as the new home of the European Pipe Band Championships for the next three years.
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