Category: History

Glasgow v Edinburgh and the World Pipe Band Championships – Part 1

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Following the recent article on Piping Press about the history of the World Pipe Band Championships (WPBC), well known Pipe Major and piper Don Bradford has kindly sent me a scanned copy of the official programme for the Worlds in 1948 which he had found alongside an old set of pipes he had acquired.  The programme, priced at one shilling (5p in present day currency), contained some interesting information which…

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’70s Tribute Band Appeal for Help on Edinburgh Police Medleys/ Florida Pipe & Drum Academy Registrations Open

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The 1970s Tribute Pipe Band is in the process of recreating the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band medleys from the early 1970s, writes Ken Stewart. Fortunately we have been able to get the pipe and drum scores for their prize winning performances of the ’70s. ECPPB had their own unique playing style so we would be grateful to anyone who could perhaps assist with audio recordings of either the 1971 or 1972 medley…

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John MacFadyen on the Art of Judging – Part 3

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We continue the recording of John MacFadyen talking about judging. We are once again grateful to reader Jack McLachlan for forwarding the recording made by John Davidson, Parkview, Johannesburg, at his home on 12th August 1973. At the beginning of this part of the recording Mr Davidson mentions some of the well-known worthies of southern African piping of the time, John Farmer, Cyril Hall (Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe) and Nick Kinsey. John…

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Editor’s Notebook: Nick’s Medal Ceremony/ Talk Piobaireachd/ Bagpipe Blower/ Pipers’ Persuasion

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I mentioned Arthur McAra in my report from Pittsburgh the other day. Another story Arthur related to me when I was over concerned the new 2022 Inverness Gold Medallist Nick Hudson. Arthur was on MC duty at Loon Mountain games in September. Nick was on judging duty with that other well-known US piper Derek Midgley. Derek approached Arthur and explained that Nick had had to leave the Northern Meeting early…

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Editor’s Notebook: Balmoral Classic/ Logan Tannock/ Florence Allan/ Jimmy Banks

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In Pittsburgh, PA, for the annual Balmoral Classic US Amateur Piping Championship. The judges are myself, Amy Garson and Lezlie Webster. The 12 competitors and their tunes: It should be a good competition. Lots of excellent prizes for the winners. I do a free workshop for all competitors on the Sunday. More details here. Pittsburgh is of course the home of Carnegie Mellon University where Jimmy McIntosh established the first…

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