Category: Blog

Editor’s Notebook: ‘Missing’ Majors/ Irish in Spain/ Split Stock / Wiltshire Piper/ Edinburgh Police Solos

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Thanks to the many readers who have contributed to the debate on the RSPBA’s ‘missing Majors’. I agree with much of what has been said, in particular that the Association need to be pro-active in encouraging Cowal and the All Ireland promoters to help out. They may already have been in touch, I don’t know. With only the Worlds and the Scottish secure for next summer, we should not be…

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CLASP 11th November 2023 –  ‘Live Online’ Results

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The Grade 1 Overall winner of this competition receives an invitation to compete in a new CLASP online competition called ‘The World Amateur Solo Piping Champion of Champions’, 2024. This competition launched to celebrate 20 years of CLASP and aims to showcase the best 10 amateur solo pipers in the world using an online platform where audience members can attend. By Margaret Houlihan The competition will run in April 2024…

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RSPBA Chairman Speaks on ‘Major Deficit’ Facing Bands for the 2024 Season

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Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the RSPBA (above), has confirmed that ‘nothing is off the table’ in the Association’s quest to find venues for three major championships next summer. ‘If for example Cowal or the All Irelands come calling then we will consider them,’ he said. Mr Reilly was speaking after his letter to member bands this week. It outlined the difficulties the Association is facing in securing arrangements for three…

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RSPBA Writes to All Bands Regarding 2024 Major Championships and the Editor Responds

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A letter to all bands issued yesterday by Mr Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the RSPBA, confirms that so far only two major championships have been secured for the 2024 pipe band competition season. The letter follows a Board of Directors meeting last weekend. The letter reads: To the members of the RSPBA….I said I would get a message to you as soon as it became clearer to the Board of…

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Northern Ireland News: Boghall to Headline Concert/ Bands Recruiting/ Ravara Concert/ James Frazer Outstanding at Blackthorn

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World Champions Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate are to headline the ‘Kids with Cancer Charity’ concert on Saturday, 24th March 2024, in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown. The band, under the leadership of Pipe Major Ross Harvey and Leading Drummer Kerr McQuillan, World Solo Drumming Champion, have agreed to return to Northern Ireland for the first time in over a decade. I would expect a full house to see this outstanding…

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