The decision by the RSPBA to appoint a fund-raising officer is long overdue. Given the millions the Association brings into Scotland each year via the Worlds and feeder events such Piping Live and the Worlds Week concert, it has a strong ethical case for public funding.
Given the work bands do in education and in preserving an important Scottish tradition, the new man should be able to tap into cultural and education budgets too.
However, with the current strictures on government cash, Chris Ross may find his best route to success via business. I am sure there must be companies who would be delighted to have their logo and name circling the Grade 1 arena at the Worlds.
Or be ready to pay for a change of title. What about the ‘Famous Grouse World Pipe Band Championships’? We came close to something similar when the News of the World newspaper was involved several decades ago. The exposure is guaranteed and international, even more so now with the internet. I am sure Mr Ross is gathering the data as I write.
It always struck me as a missed opportunity that advertising at the Worlds is so limited. Of course the BBC may have something to say about that, but they film football matches festooned with advertising so why not the Worlds?
Colin Mulhern RSPBA Executive Officer: ‘This is a new post, and we are fortunate to have acquired Chris, who has 10 years experience in fundraising and management roles.
‘He will develop a strategy and make contact with potential sponsors to ensure we can continue to deliver our core business of pipe band championships and education.’
Sun Belt Info
Eric Stein reports….Here is the final list of competitors and judges. P/M Sandy Jones Amateur Championship: Catherine Miller, Malachi Johannsen, Karl Fetter, Adam Weghorn, Liam Horne, Thomas McCollum, Magnus Stone, Mic Trenor, Joey Votta, Ian Minnear; Judges Angus MacColl and Connor Sinclair.
Sun Belt pipers and tunes: Bruce Gandy – MacDougall’s Gath., Ben McClamrock – Ronald MacDonald of Morar’s Lament, Angus MacColl – Patrick Og MacCrimmon’s Lament, Connor Sinclair – Unjust Incarceration, William McCallum – Kintarbert’s Fancy, Alex Gandy – Son’s Salute to his Parents. Alen Tully – Marquis of Argyll’s Sal., Callum Beaumont – Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck, Glenn Brown – Edinburgh Piobaireachd, Derek Midgley – Prince’s Salute; Judges: Ian Duncan, James Stack, Robert Worrall.
There will also be two 14 and Under events on practice chanter, the William McCallum Sr. Memorial March (two parts any time signature) and P/M Donald MacLeod Memorial Piobaireachd Ground. Competitors will play the ground only of any Donald MacLeod Piobaireachd
All events will take place on Saturday, November 9th; tickets are $20; 18 and under are free.
NI Piper of the Year
These great old pictures are of the early days of the Northern Ireland Piping Society’s ‘Piper of the Year’ contest come to us via Ken Stewart. The Tullymore House Hotel was the venue. In 1979 their first invited judge was Tom Speirs and he can be seen in the first picture:
The second picture, from 1980, features Hugh MacInnes as the invited judge:
Front: Tom Reid, John Findlay, Tom McCarroll, Hugh MacInnes, P/M Norman McCutcheon, Tom Hackett
Letters
John Fleming: ‘Hi I was at the Pipe Major’s course in 1983 and Roger Huth was a Lance Sargent at the time. I was wondering if you have any email address for him? It would be great to catch up. Regards.’
You can leave your address in the Comments section if you wish Roger.
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Reader Mike Connolly has forwarded this new 2/4 march:
Have a listen here.
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Christina MacDonald: ‘I am the great-niece of the late Mick Haggerty who was an uncle to my mother. I am known as Katie. I am unsure, but an article you wrote spoke about a Graham Adams, Paul Ross, Ron Lightfoot and Dennis Browning and how a cross was placed on Mick’s grave. The article was extremely interesting for me as I have only known ‘of’ him, but my mother remembers him and speaks fondly of him.
‘My mother actually owns a mirrored photograph of Mick and is looking to find a place for it and we wondered if you would know or put us in contact with anyone we could approach to let it have its pride of place. It hung in my granny’s home for years and then my own mother’s home but she has now moved in with me and we are unable to bring everything. We did have it on loan to the local museum here and when they did their WW1 & WW2 displays.It was commented on quite a bit because it really is a beautiful and unique photograph.‘
Again, if anyone can help Christina please leave a message in our Comments section.
