PP Ed’s Blog: Judge’s Decision/ SPA Recital/ Shotts Contest/ Poll Outcome/ QOH Names

Sunday’s decision by the Joint Committee (a committee representing judges, promoters and pipers) to ‘fully endorse’ the no pupil/judge benches dictat from the Solo Piping Judges Association really does not change a great deal in the short term. Long term it is worrying. Though the promoters state that they ‘fully endorse’ the rule change they do not say that they will maintain an absolute ban under all circumstances. I believe…

Joint Committee Endorses Judging Principle

The Joint Committee for Solo Piping Competitions (JCSPC) has issued the following: ‘The JCSPC agreed at its AGM on Sunday 27th November to support the Solo Piping Judges’ Association’s (SPJA) recent change to its Code of Conduct. ‘The matter was debated at length and in detail at the meeting. It was ultimately agreed that The Argyllshire Gathering, The Northern Meeting, The Scottish Piping Society of London and Competing Pipers’ Association…

Famous Pipers – P/M Willie Lawrie, Ballachulish

Reader Eric MacIntrye reminds us today that it is exactly 100 years since the death of the great Willie Lawrie (see Letters). Many pipers are fortunate to  excel in one branch of our art either as a teacher, player or composer. Some are fortunate to master two; seldom three. But for Willie Lawrie this trinity of achievement came as naturally as mother’s milk. Genial, warm, humourous, articulate was how his contemporaries…

Million Dollar Act Need Info on Pipe Tune/ New Piobaireachd Tutor Book Praised

A hugely popular Australia-based children’s show want to use a pipe tune as part of their act but have as yet failed to get copyright clearance. Leanne Williams, International Royalties Manager for ‘The Wiggles’, has written: ‘I’m hoping you can help me. I’ve been trying to get in contact with the Pinkman family regarding the tune Itchy Fingers and have been in contact with P/M Iain Grant and Mike Greene from…

PP Ed’s Blog: Wm Grant Poll/ Duncan’s Wedding/ World Solo Drumming/ Letters/ Queensland Recital/ Brittany

Following yesterday’s piece on piping’s biggest sponsor, the William Grant Foundation, we’d like to know what readers think: [polldaddy poll=9567284] Congratulations to Glasgow Police P/Sgt and former P/M, Duncan Nicholson, on his nuptials last weekend. Duncan’s best man was his pipe major Iain MacPherson and a great time was had by all at the wedding in Glasgow. The Livestream from the World Solo Drumming is now available on YouTube with…