The origins of the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary come from a meeting held at Sprucefield RUC Depot in 1970 when a number of officers who were members of civilian bands discussed the possibility of starting a pipe band in the force. What surprised these men was the lack of interest for such an idea amongst the ‘top brass’, however they continued and soon they had enough…

Ken Cameron, Chairman of the Lochaber Piping Society: Attached is the Entry Form for our Junior Competition on 28th March and I would be grateful if you could post it on Piping Press. We are very thankful to the Piobaireachd Society for the new sponsorship we have received for the 2020 competition which includes substantial prizes for our main ceol mor events. The last page of the entry form is a…

The Annual Irish Piobaireachd competition was held last Saturday (Feb 1) in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, close to the Kilworth Hills. All events were judged by William Morrison and the event was sponsored by RG Hardie, Cork Co. Council and Foras Na Gaeilge. Competitors, officials and judge pictured above. Results: Beginners 1. Eamon Casey, Salute on the Birth of Rory Mor2. Dylan Lawerence, Glengarry’s Lament Intermediate 1. Brian Crawford, Lament for…

So there we have it. All the judges for the 2020 season of pipe band major championships issued timeously by the volunteers of the RSPBA. Regular as dawn, year after year. The season begins to take shape and bands feel the excitement grow as May approaches. Remember this when next you read of these attempts to undermine Willie Sloan’s 90 year old creation. It has been, and remains, a force…

RSPBA Headquarters in Washington Street, Glasgow, have confirmed the judging panels for this year’s five major championships. Beginning with the Worlds in Glasgow August 14/15 we have for the Friday, Grade 1 Qualifier: On Saturday the judges for all grades are as follows: More….. For the first Major of the season, the British at Paisley on May 23 we have: This information appears courtesy the RSPBA. Adjudicator allocations for all…