The Skye Are Back!

Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band have issued the following statement: ‘We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Kenny MacLeod as Pipe Major, Ross Cowan and Darren Sommerville as Pipe Sergeants, and Les Galbraith as Leading Drummer of the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band. On his appointment, Kenny said: ‘It’s an important band to me and many other people. My father was the founding Pipe Major. My brother, Donald, was a…

The 1948 World Pipe Band Championships – Part 2

Continuing with my look at the 1948 World Pipe Band Chanpionships based on the old programe kindly sent to me by Don Bradford, I have some observations on the list of bands (see here): First prize in the Grade 1/Open contest was £50 plus the News of the World trophy. The high number of bands from mining communities at that time. Grade 4 comprised only ladies pipe bands. I had…

Glasgow v Edinburgh and the World Pipe Band Championships – Part 1

Following the recent article on Piping Press about the history of the World Pipe Band Championships (WPBC), well known Pipe Major and piper Don Bradford has kindly sent me a scanned copy of the official programme for the Worlds in 1948 which he had found alongside an old set of pipes he had acquired.  The programme, priced at one shilling (5p in present day currency), contained some interesting information which…

’70s Tribute Band Appeal for Help on Edinburgh Police Medleys/ Florida Pipe & Drum Academy Registrations Open

The 1970s Tribute Pipe Band is in the process of recreating the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band medleys from the early 1970s, writes Ken Stewart. Fortunately we have been able to get the pipe and drum scores for their prize winning performances of the ’70s. ECPPB had their own unique playing style so we would be grateful to anyone who could perhaps assist with audio recordings of either the 1971 or 1972 medley…

John MacFadyen on the Art of Judging – Part 3

We continue the recording of John MacFadyen talking about judging. We are once again grateful to reader Jack McLachlan for forwarding the recording made by John Davidson, Parkview, Johannesburg, at his home on 12th August 1973. At the beginning of this part of the recording Mr Davidson mentions some of the well-known worthies of southern African piping of the time, John Farmer, Cyril Hall (Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe) and Nick Kinsey. John…