PP Ed’s Blog: Angus’s Funeral/ Shotts Contest/ Fergie Book/ Trad Awards

The dates for Angus Nicol’s funeral in Oban and mass in London have now been set: Tuesday 18th October – Oban RC Cathedral: Funeral Mass: 11.30am followed by Kilninver interment and Knipoch Hotel wake . Friday 21st October – Brompton Oratory: Requiem Mass: 11am with wake afterwards at St Wilfrid’s Hall. Angus, a great lover of piping and self-taught Gaelic speaker, died last week after a long bout of ill health. Throughout his life he did a great deal…

Pipe Bands: Police have First Practice/ Medley Harmonies/ World Solo Drumming

Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band have held their first band practice with new leading drummer David Henderson at the head of the corps with a ‘very positive’ outcome. The GGPS corps is still largely intact despite the recent upheaval following the departure of long-serving Eric Ward. Of the nine side drummers that played with the band at the World Pipe Band Championships in August, six have stayed with the…

PP Ed’s Blog: Former Winners’ Tunes/ Logan’s Publishers/ Uist & Barra History

Listening to part of the Former Winners’ MSR at the Northern Meeting this year I was struck by the number of comparatively easy tunes some pipers are submitting. All great tunes of course, but is Mrs MacDonald of Dunacht suitable for this level? And whilst I love Donald MacLeod’s music I’m not sure that some of the reels such as Drumlithie are as much of a test as, say, eight parts…

Australian PB Champs Results – WAPOL Victorious/ PBA President Responds to Recent Suspensions

Western Australia Police Pipe Band, P/M Jim Murray, took all the main prizes on the second day of the  in today’s Australian Pipe Band  Championships Grade 1 contest held in Sydney. They were placed first for the main contest, for drumming and dress & deportment. Grade 2 main prize and drumming went to the Pipe Band Club Australia. Held every two years, the Australian Pipe Band Championships is the country’s…

New Leading Drummer For Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band Announced

David Henderson has been appointed as the new Leading Drummer of the Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band following the departure of long time servant Eric Ward. A statement on behalf of Pipe Major Iain MacPherson and Niall West, Band Manager, was issued to Piping Press today. It reads: ‘Following consideration of several applications for the post, Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band are pleased to announce the appointment of…