By Robert Wallace If what I have read this morning is true then I believe it may be time for the RSPBA to consider cancelling or postponing some of the 2020 major championships. Robert Peston of ITN is known to be a particularly well informed journalist. Today he reports that the UK Government will, within the next 20 days, ban all over-70s from leaving home for four months, order the…

Gloomy times indeed. The loss of Frank Andrews, and Alex Dalziel this week alone. PS Conf cancelled. Winter weather lingering here in Scotland; virus fears everywhere. And Dennis Browning in New South Wales proves its not a local issue either: ‘I and my fellow judges were sent the following by the Secretary  of Pipe Bands NSW regarding next Sunday’s contest at Scot College, Bellevue Hill: ‘Due to concerns about the…

The General Committee of the Piobaireachd Society has taken the decision to postpone the 2020 conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Conference was due to be held in the National Piping Centre in Glasgow next Saturday, March 21. PS President Robert Wallace said: ‘Holding the Conference in the circumstances was considered unwise and we have taken the decision to postpone it. ‘Further arrangements for the Conference and AGM will…

The death has been reported of Alex Dalziel, Chief Steward for the RSPBA. Alex was 72 and attended the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship last Sunday in an unofficial capacity before taking ill. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Association and from West Lothian. Both Alex and his wife Wilma have been linked to the Association’s Lothian & Borders Branch since their first involvement with pipe bands. Alex was…

I arrived late for the 75th Annual Uist & Barra Professional Piping contest held at the Piping Centre in Otago Street, Glasgow, last Saturday, writes the editor. Right away I was called on to help with the heating. The main hall of what was the College of Piping is particularly well insulated and needs very little to warm it up. Thermostat sorted I took my seat to listen to the…