Despite running a very successful World Pipe Band Championship, the RSPBA has become embroiled in yet another difficulty following the fiasco of the mis-calling of the Novice B result. It is not the first problem the Association has had to face in the past several months. Has a new President arrived just in time to steady the ship? Major General David McDowall CBE (pictured), former General Officer Commanding of the Army in Scotland, took office at this year’s AGM…….
I was born in Stranraer son of the pipe major of Stranraer & District Pipe Band. I started the pipes when I was five and played throughout my school years in the band. When I was 15 my father took me to Edinburgh Castle and I saw the Tattoo and the Lone Piper. I said to my father I want to be the Lone Piper one day.
A couple of weeks later I came home from school with the forms to join the Army and my father refused to sign them saying I was to stay on at school to finish my education, which I did. When I eventually joined the Army he said if I was going to be a soldier I had to get a trade, piping is not a trade it is a culture.
By Maj. General David McDowall CBE
I served for 37 years and loved every second of it, and to be honest, at that time I found that the values and standards I had been taught as a wee boy in the pipe band: preparation, effort, focus, self-discipline, allowed me to become a really quite good soldier.
And so throughout my career from Private to Lance Corporal to Corporal then Captain in charge of 30 men, to Major in charge of 300 men, right through to General Officer Commanding Scotland and Governor of Edinburgh Castle, those basic standards I learned as a boy from my father and mother and the pipe band, stood me well in that walk of life.
I am only just into my first term as President of the RSPBA, and I still see that when I visit the Major Championships and other contests. I see little children, pipers, drummers and drum majors putting in an enormous effort in playing, marching, paying attention to detail, just as I was encouraged to do all those years ago.
Every single pipe band has a P/M and senior pipers and drummers and they are always trying to develop youngsters. It is more than just music; it is a whole system of education. So to me the role of the Association is to encourage the retention of the culture of pipe bands. That is a hugely honourable endeavour. These youngsters we see today at Glasgow Green will go on to make a significant contribution in every walk of life.
I know we have had a difficult couple of years over securing the money for the Major Championships. It has been a disappointment to me to find that situation, but on reflection I should not have been surprised. The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone and every organisation.
For us to run the five Majors we must be working in collaboration with local councils and we need them to contribute significantly. The return for them is the increasing numbers of people coming to their towns and cities and the resultant benefits to shops, hotels etc. There is a lovely symbiosis there, but I can understand why each year councils say ‘we’re not so sure about this’ and ‘can you do it for less money’.
The real costs to the Association are transport, administration, prizemoney and adjudicators. Without the adjudicators you have no competition. For our competitions to run well and effectively you also need the stewards, the directors, the compilers, all working together.
The costs for that package of people is high when you are doing it for two days all over the country for the five championships. For me the model is absolutely fine, but I personally believe that the benefits coming to youngsters, not just in Scotland but from around the world, are so great that I would l like to see the Scottish Government recognising the importance of that and removing some of the financial pressure from us by sponsoring an event such as at the Worlds as part of their cultural support.
My prime responsibility as the new President is to try to channel some of the money which does come into piping to the RSPBA. I am not just here to be a figurehead, to say a few words at the Massed Bands. I want to make a contribution that secures the future, improves everything that we do, ensures we are completely compliant with all charitable regulations.
I want to engage with cultural bodies, Government, but equally with television, the BBC. Their contribution at the Worlds is massive. I have been lucky enough to see the directors in their studio. It is absolutely phenomenal. All the cameras, monitors, people working really hard to put on the best show possible.
There are all sorts of individual stories that could be explored by the media as well, and that might attract a whole new viewing public to take an interest in the pipe band movement. Take the example of young Kerr McQuillan of Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate. Twenty two years old and he is a World Champion. Everything he does is immaculate. Listen to him talk; look in his eyes you see a winner. I believe he will inspire other youngsters.
In my case, I would like to hope that people would say well there’s a wee, fat, short man who grew up in a council house in Stranraer, went to the local state school, but everything he got taught by his parents and in the pipe band allowed him to make an extraordinary journey.
I learnt how to do my best and I want to bring that attitude to the RSPBA. And remember, despite all the brickbats, without the Association there would not be a World Pipe Band Championship and the local contests.
It was back in the 1930s that pipe majors got together to create the Association and with it judging standards and grading. The aims and ambitions they set are as valid today as they were close on a century ago.
