Frank’s funeral service took place today in the 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland followed by interment in the Portglenone Church of Ireland Graveyard. His sudden passing at his home last Sunday has robbed the pipe band world of one of its great personalities. In the present day Frank was best known as ‘drone tuner in chief’ for the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and a much respected member…

The death has been reported of Alex Dalziel, Chief Steward for the RSPBA. Alex was 72 and attended the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship last Sunday in an unofficial capacity before taking ill. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Association and from West Lothian. Both Alex and his wife Wilma have been linked to the Association’s Lothian & Borders Branch since their first involvement with pipe bands. Alex was…

I arrived late for the 75th Annual Uist & Barra Professional Piping contest held at the Piping Centre in Otago Street, Glasgow, last Saturday, writes the editor. Right away I was called on to help with the heating. The main hall of what was the College of Piping is particularly well insulated and needs very little to warm it up. Thermostat sorted I took my seat to listen to the…

It is with sadness that we report the sudden passing of Frank Andrews, former Pipe Major of MacNeilstown Pipe Band in Northern Ireland. Frank died suddenly at home last night after collapsing. As drone tuner in chief for Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band he was an integral part of Richard Parkes’s championship winning team. Frank will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is pictured in the above…

Six hundred boys, girls, parents and tutors gathered at the William McIlvaney Campus in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, yesterday (March 8) for the annual competition. The day was generally considered to be an outstanding success with a high standard of play and great enthusiasm.  There were very good cheques for the winners in all event (see below) and in addition bands got assistance for travel. Eildh MacLeod Endeavour Award: Dundee City Pipe…