PP Editor’s Blog: KO Contests/ Caption Contest/ Rosneath Thoughts/ World Drumming

Congratulations to Craig Muirhead on winning through to the next round of the Scots Guards KO against Brian Lamond. The first round of the SPA KO is on November 7 at the College of Piping. The jousters are Finlay Johnston and John Patrick. 7.30 start, bar and refreshments. The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA have sent this: ‘Thanks to Ian Burrows, pictures from all 2015 pipe band contests (except Rostrevor)…

Rosneath Games Piping/ Ardrossan Juniors/ RG Hardie Merger

Rosneath Games Piping Competitions, 18/10/15. These piping events, cancelled last July due to inclement weather, were held at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire. Organiser Colina Helen Campbell said: ‘I should like to thank all the competitors, stewards and judges who supported the rescheduled Rosneath solo piping competition – it was very much appreciated.  Thanks also to the janitor at Hermitage Academy for his excellent support and assistance on the day.  Following the success…

PP Editor’s Blog: Falkirk Tryst Competition etc.

Blue MacMurchie reports: On Saturday the 10th of October the 6th annual Falkirk Piping Recital competition and the 4th Annual MacMurchie Contest was held at Trinity Kirk in Falkirk, a venue with wonderful acoustics much appreciated by the audience, pipers and judges. Due to a number of unforeseen family commitments the turnout of pipers was poor but the standard was as per other years – extremely high by those who played. The Falkirk…

NI Piper of the Year/ Piobaireachd by the Sea

Organiser Ken Stewart reports: ‘The annual Piper of the Year competition was held last Saturday in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena. This competition is promoted by the Northern Ireland Piping Society and is an invitation only event. Competitors are selected on merit determined by their competition results, in Ireland, during the current year. ‘Each player is required to compete in the MSR and Piobaireachd sections with the Piper of…

PP Editor’s Blog: Edith Cavell/ Nicol-Brown Contest/Gold Medal Tunes

Many will have read yesterday of the 100th anniversary of the death of heroine  Nurse Edith Cavell, executed for spying during WW1. She had served in a hospital in Belgium and treated Allied, German and Austrian soldiers but was executed by a German firing squad on October 12, 1915. Her death prompted outrage in Britain with thousands subsequently inspired to join up for the war effort.  Miss Cavell is buried at Norwich…