Category: Letters

History: The ‘Redundant A’ Debate of 100 Years Ago

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What is the ‘redundant A’ ? Whole generations have come and gone since the controversy was aired on the pages of the Oban Times a century ago. The correspondence reached its apogee in 1926 with none other than the great GS McLennan weighing in. We run a series of letters to the newspaper, including his, beginning today. By The Editor Firstly we need to establish what the cause of all…

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Skye Gathering Entries Open

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Entries for this year’s Skye Gathering piping – on August 5/6 – are now open. Entry form and contest information below. Places in the Dunvegan Medal are limited to 25 and entries close on May 31. A list of successful applicants will be circulated to all entrants in early June. In drawing up the list, the Skye Piping Committee will take CPA gradings and previous attendance and placings at the…

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Dysart Drumming Title and Amazing Success

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Last week’s feature on the Dysart had merely suggested their drum corps had won the Worlds in 1975 at Corby, I tried to confirm this through a 2023 publication by a pretty reliable source and found it given as Shotts & Dykehead, writes Iain Duncan However authoritative responses to the original article suggested otherwise, so to confirm this one way or the other I contacted Joshua Baird at RSPBA Headquarters…

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Dysart & Dundonald Worlds Success and Readers’ Response to Historic Photos

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Since the beginning of the World Championships under the (R)SPBA in 1947, there is no doubt that Dysart and Dundonald’s rapid progress and Worlds achievement was a first.  ‘The Dysart’ were upgraded to Grade 1 at the close of season 1972 and their impact was immediate.  At Ayr in 1973 they placed 5th, at Stirling in 1974 they placed 2nd, at Corby in 1975 they placed 3rd, at Hawick in…

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Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band in the 1970s

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Thanks to reader Peter Reilly for forwarding the above picture. It is of the famous Dysart & Dondonald pictured during rehearsals for the Worlds at either Corby in 1975 or Nottingham in 1979, writes the Editor. We are trying to confirm the date and identify all of those pictured. There is also a suggestion that Dysart won the Worlds drum corps title at Corby. All information gratefully received. Please reply…

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