PP Editor’s Blog: Woolmet Juveniles/ South Florida Sponsors/ SPA KO/Big Music Concert/ Archie Kenneth Quaich

Anyone who thought the prevalence of girls in today’s pipe bands is a relatively new phenomenon should have a look at the above picture of the Woolmet Colliery Juvenile Pipe Band. It’s from a 1949 edition of the Piping, Dancing and Highland Dancing Journal. The story reads: ‘The Woolmet Colliery Juvenile Pipe Band, one of the young bands of the Lothians and Borders Branch [of the RSPBA] was founded in…

PP Editor’s Blog: Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band

The October 2015 edition of the RSPBA’s ‘Pipe Band’ magazine is now available from the RSPBA website. Readers might also like to download the issues of the magazine from April and July last year which has a full interview with former Glasgow Police P/M Duncan Nicolson. Click on the back numbers option on the RSPBA site. I think it a brave decision by Duncan to stand down after three years in…

Duncan Steps Down at Greater Glasgow Police

Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band have today issued the following statement: Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band – Iain MacPherson new P/M ‘Greater Glasgow Police Pipe band announce a change in leadership with Pipe Major Duncan Nicholson swapping roles with Pipe Sergeant Iain MacPherson. ‘Duncan [pictured above left leading the band this season] has led the band for five years, assisted by Iain, and their guidance of the band in partnership…

PP Editor’s Blog: Pipe Band Magazine/Classic Piobaireachd/ SPA/ Piob Soc Conf.

The latest free, digital edition of Pipe Band Magazine will be available from tomorrow. The front cover has a super picture of the new World Champion Pipe Major, Ryan Canning of Shotts & Dykehead. Inside there is an interview with Ryan and another with his Leading Drummer Jim Kilpatrick. In addition the magazine has an extensive picture gallery of Worlds winners. The magazine, the official publication of the RSPBA, then…

New Letters/ Award for Gordon/ Calum Johnston/Gairloch Juniors

New letters added today headed Competition Notes, Monktonhall Pipe Band and the SPA WW1 concert. Congratulations to RSPBA adjudicator and dedicated teacher of piping, Gordon Lawrie, on his BEM from HM The Queen. Here’s how the local paper reported his receiving the award from  her representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire. Gordon is pictured bottom right: Congratulations too to Bleary & District Pipe Band (pictured top) on their elevation to the…