John Kelly reports…. A civic reception was held at Craigavon Conference Centre on Friday 5th October, hosted by the Lord Mayor to recognise the fantastic successes of pipe bands from within the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, during the 2018 pipe band season. Pictured above are the Lord Mayor, Councillor Julie Flaherty, Councillor Mark Baxter (left) and  Alderman Paul Rankin (right) pictured with Pipe Major James Knox MBE…

Alastair Dunn, Managing Director, has sent this….Bagpipemaker R.G. Hardie & Co. is playing its unique part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration project marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I. Organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Battle’s Over takes place on November 11th 2018, with events throughout the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations…

Tom Johnstone, President of the Scottish Pipers’ Association: ‘Thanks for that article on the 1970 Mod. Happy memories for me there – I knew I had won something but didn’t remember that it was the strathspey and reel. ‘I also got a Kilberry Book as a prize which I still use to this day (getting a bit tatty though!). Here is the photo of us juniors which appeared in the Oban…

Steve Rooklidge of the Shasta Piping Society in California has sent the picture of the above chanter. Steve writes: ‘Is this a Grainger chanter of your era?  It seems a bit chubby but the fingering is more modern. What were they pitched for? I have yet to reed it up. This was from a set purchased I think, from the House of Scotland PB in San Diego in the 80s sometime.’…