Jim Butler, Pipers’ Whisky Pipe Band/ British Columbia Pipers Association Gathering 2022

I was so sorry to read about the death of Jim Butler, writes Iain Duncan.  Such a nice guy, we were Pipe Sergeants of our respective bands, Jim, Pipers’ Whisky (they had various incarnations), and me with Glasgow Skye.  

Latterly we would bump into each other at Piping Live and 2019 was the last time we met (in the Ardnamurchan restaurant across from the Piping Centre).  For the PP photo library and readers’ interest, I’ve attached an impressive picture of the Pipers’ Whisky band in their heyday (above).

It was taken outside the equally impressive Chivas Brothers administration building on Renfrew Road, Paisley, which I believe has recently been demolished to accommodate a new school. Jim, sporting a beard, is on the far right in the P/Sgt position.

• Jim’s funeral details: Holmsford Bridge Crematorium, Dreghorn, Irvine, KA11 4EF, 24th March 2022 @ 3:30pm with tea following at the Gailes Hotel, Marine Drive, Irvine, KA11 5AE.

British Columbia Pipers Association 89th Annual Gathering

The BCPA will be conducting the 2022 Gathering as an online only solo event again this year, writes Garth Newlands, Director. The event will take place on April 15th and 16th, 2022. Solo piping and drumming events will be offered for all amateur grades and for open/professional level competitors.

The 2021 Gathering was held in the same format and drew a total of 156 pipers and drummers from around the world.

The competition format consists of a pre-recorded video submission for all amateur events except for Grade 1. Those competing in Grade 2 and below will pre-record their events during a one week period and submit their entries using YouTube and a Google form.

Open level and Grade 1 competitors will perform live online. Players will perform live in a Zoom meeting, at an assigned time on the particular date for the event, record this performance on a separate video recording device, and submit the video and details within eight hours of the completion of the player’s performance. All posted playtimes will be in Pacific Standard Time.

For events with multiple tune submissions required, the selected tune(s) for the player’s performance in the event will be published in the Orders of Play on April 9.

In addition to the Open Piobaireachd, Open MSR, and Open Jig Piping events, the Annual Gathering offers a CPA sanctioned Piobaireachd events for both ‘B’ and ‘C’ graded CPA members. Those wishing to compete in the B and C grade events are also free to enter the Open events.

The 2021 Annual Gathering drew 30 competitors in Open Piping events, with the aggregate award and Open Piobaireachd won by Bruce Gandy. Entries are now open. The entry deadline is March 31st. Register here.