Author: Robert Wallace

Glengarry Cup, Ottowa, Results

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On Saturday, September 28, the Ottawa Branch of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario held the Glengarry Cup. The piobaireachd contest was held in the afternoon followed by the MSR contest in the evening. Judges for both events were Brian Williamson and Bob Worrall. This edition was once again held on the same weekend as the National Police and Peacekeepers Memorial events on Parliament Hill, which brings in…

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Editor’s Notebook: Training of Pipe Band Judges/ Lewis & Harris News/ RSPS 1978/ Letters

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A comment has been made about Iain McLeod, five times winner of the Worlds with Edinburgh City / Lothian and Borders Police, refusing to judge for the RSPBA because he was asked to ‘quantify his experience’ as our correspondent put it. From what I remember it was more than that. He and other leading men of the time (late ’70s, early ’80s), RG Hardie, John Weatherston, were also asked to…

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Editor’s Notebook: P/Ms Succession Planning/ George Sherriff Memorial/ Mystery Band/ Cancale Piper

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Succession planning is everything when its comes to changing Grade 1 pipe majors. Get it right and the prizes continue unabated. Wrong, and a once great outfit tumbles and expires. That’s what happened with Muirhead & Sons in the ’70s. There are more modern examples too.  One of the most successful handovers came when Tully Senior handed over to Tully Junior at St Laurence O’Toole a few years back. Alen…

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Unifying Set Tunes Worldwide, James McGrady, Norman Meldrum and Neville McKay

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I would like to comment on a few articles on Piping Press over the past several weeks. Firstly, Scott Nicholson’s plan for a unified system of Piobaireachd Society set tunes for Australia (PP, July 2). This has great value. It motivates aspiring competitors to commit to learning these tunes and if they are successful with them and accepted for Oban and Inverness, they are likely to be well prepared.  My…

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P/M Richard Parkes MBE Retires from Field Marshal Montgomery

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The most successful pipe major in pipe band history, Richard Parkes of Field Marshal Montgomery, has announced his retirement. In a statement, the band revealed that P/Sgt. Matt Wilson will be taking over as Pipe Major. Richard (62) has won 13 World title, more than any other Pipe Major, and over forty major championships. Richard said: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to lead Field Marshal Montgomery. The…

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