Category: Blog

UK Pipe Band Championships – Field Marshal Triumph

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Field Marshal Montgomery are the new UK Pipe Band Champions winning today in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in blustery weather conditions. They secured two firsts for piping, a first for drumming, and a third for ensemble. One MSR was required in G1. The other places in the top grade went to: 2 Boghall (3,3,2,1)3 SLOT (2,2,4,2)4 Shotts (4,4,3,4)5 Fife Police (5,5,55)6 Ravara (6,6,6,6) with the drumming going to Boghall. Judges for…

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Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils

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The problem of pupils being judged by teachers in piping competitions has caused much debate and division. For the past few years I have spent quite a bit of time using experiences from judging along with playing, and have formulated a plan which I believe solves these problems. By Colin MacLellan In reality, it is very simple, but perhaps appears less so when committed to paper, because every circumstance must…

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Major Winner P/M Emmet Conway, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, Talks to Piping Press

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Two weeks ago P/M Emmet Conway and his Shotts & Dykehead band were proclaimed British Champions at Ingliston Showgrounds near Edinburgh. It was Emmet’s first ‘major’ success since he took over the band in 2018. Afterwards he gave this interview to Piping Press….. How does it feel to lift your first major? It feels absolutely incredible.  There’s also a real sense of relief in getting that first major title under…

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UK Pipe Band Championships: Security Announcement

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In the wake of the terrorist atrocity in Belfast yesterday and reaction to it, the RSPBA has been in contact with the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding security arrangement for the UK Pipe Band Championships, to be held in the city this Saturday, June 13. Chief Executive Colin Mulhern: ‘We appreciate that the recent unrest in Belfast has given rise to a number of concerns, and we have shared…

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Pipe Band College Review: Further Response to Criticism

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The following statement is from the Review Group set up to examine the RSPBA’s Pipe Band College, myself, John MacInnes and Robert Wallace. We felt clarification was needed regarding claims made publicly by former Pipe Band College Piping Principal Jim Campbell. We were particularly concerned about the suggestion that the review lacked credibility and integrity, and failed to communicate with any Pipe Band College member. [Read Mr Campbell’s comments here.] By…

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