Duncan Johnstone, RSPBA AGM, Kingdom Thistle Solos and Australian Pipe Band Championships Postponed

The RSPBA have issued the following statement about the postponement of their AGM which was due to take place in the Trades House, Glasgow, tomorrow:

‘The RSPBA Annual General Meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 14th March 2020, in Glasgow, has been postponed due to the escalating coronavirus situation. The decision to postpone was taken after the Board of Directors considered in detail the advice of both local and national government agencies and is intended to minimise the potential health risk to our membership.

‘We know and appreciate that our members from across the UK will be disappointed by this late notification, however we have been working to assess the risk from a situation which continues to change rapidly. In the circumstances we believe the right thing to do for our membership is to postpone.

‘The RSPBA heed all government health advice. Branches and bands are also asked to re-assess all activities during the period of the current pandemic in the interest of the wellbeing of all band members and supporters.

‘The RSPBA will continue to be vigilant about coronavirus and will of course follow all advice from Health Protection Scotland. We will advise the membership of a new date for the AGM once the situation has improved and restrictions have been lifted.’



On the Duncan Johnstone, NPC Marketing Officer Helen Urquhart said: ‘The extremely difficult decision has been taken to postpone the Duncan Johnstone competition that was due to take place tomorrow, Saturday 14th March. This is due to the ongoing global situation with coronavirus Covid-19. 

‘We are looking to reschedule this event for a later date this year. I will be in touch as soon as possible with the alternative arrangements and a new date.’


Paul M Brown of the Kingdom Thistle Solo Piping & Drumming contests has announced: ‘In light of the recent outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus COVID-19 we have decided in the interest of public health and safety to postpone the event including the RSPBA Adult World Solo Drumming Qualifier until a later date.

The event will now be scheduled to take place on Saturday 19th September 2020. All entry fees received so far will be refunded in full and cheques returned or destroyed. We hope that you understand the reason behind this decision and that at this time the health and safety of the competitors, judges, spectators and support staff is extremely important.’

Pipe Bands Australia: ‘The 2020 Australian Pipe Band Championships have been postponed due to the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

‘We know and appreciate that many bands, officials and supporters from across Australia and overseas have invested significant time, money, energy and enthusiasm into their preparations for the weekend of 4 and 5 April in Maryborough will be disappointed the championships have been delayed. We all share in that disappointment.

‘However, the personal health and safety of every member of the pipe band community together with their family and friends must come first.

‘Pipe Bands Australia, host branch Pipe Bands Victoria and promoter Maryborough Highland Society have spent the past week considering official government and health advice, preparing risk management and mitigation positions and contingency arrangements.

‘Pipe Bands Australia has been advised the provisional date for the championships will be the weekend of 24 and 25 October subject to government advice.

‘Members of Pipe Bands Australia are asked to heed all government health advice, Branches and bands are also asked to re-assess all activities, including meetings, during the period of the coronavirus crisis for the well being of members and supporters. Regards, Steven Patterson, Secretary, On behalf of National Management Committee.’


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