Category: Pipe Bands

More Memories of Harry, Two Super Days at Cowal and the Great Trophy Theft

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Last week’s tribute to Harry McAleer brought back many memories, writes Barry Donaldson. He was a close friend and a huge personality. Here is one of the many memories I have. When the band was at its best, the individual playing was world class and Harry was as good a player as anyone. The band photo marching up the street at Cowal on the Saturday morning [top] was taken in…

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New Book Review: ‘Grey’s Notes on a Life Around Bagpipes’

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This is the recently published book penned by an esteemed piper, superb composer, internationally famous teacher, overall music master and consummate Bard. My tongue is firmly in my cheek I hear you say. Certainly not. Who am I talking about? None other than Ontario’s Michael Grey. Mike, I have you up there with the best. By Barry Donaldson This book is an autobiographical account of his life and times as…

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A Letter from Australia from a Man Dedicated to Preserving Piping History

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Last week we told of the generosity of Robert Bruce McKenzie Baker from Maclean, New South Wales. Robert had donated two handsome snuff mulls to the Northern Meeting, one of which will be used for a prize in their junior competitions. The other has been given on loan to the Piping Centre Museum. Read about the snuff mulls here. Robert, pictured above at a games in 1997, has written an…

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Editor’s Notebook: Harry McAleer/ Piobaireachd Society News/ the CoP, Donald and Seumas

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Wasn’t that a good memeory of the late Harry McAleer to share yesterday? I know from your response that it was much appreciated. One photograph we forgot to include is the one above. It shows Harry (r) with his friend Fred Russell piping at Harry Stevenson’s wedding in 1971. (Harry is the respected RSPBA adjudicator and PP contributor.) In yesterday’s article Fred talked of growing up with Harry in their…

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Pipe Band History: Remembering P/M Harry McAleer, Strathclyde Police

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A generation of pipe bandsmen and women has grown up since the passing of a man who was, at the time of his death, one of the best-loved personalities in the pipe band world. This is from Piper Press magazine January 1999…. The piping and pipe band world was stunned by the sudden death of Harry McAleer, former pipe major of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, at his home in Glasgow…

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