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…

Editor’s Notebook: Ivory Pipes/ Florence’s Funeral/ NZ Visit/ Kinross Piping Initiative

The issue of ivory pipes looms large again after recent legislation by the UK Government. Pipes that are pre-1975 can still be bought and sold but only because they contain less than 20% ivory. To trade legitimately in them, however, you must register the pipes with the government. The new legislation states: ‘You cannot deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory, unless they are registered as exempt or…

New Humidity Controlled Pipe Case/ NZ Pipe Band Entries

A new pipe case which the manufacturers say controls the humidity around the instrument has been launched by innovations company Flux and McCallum Bagpipes The ‘FLUX Bagpipe Humidity Case’ comes with the tagline: ‘An Environment for A Stable Bagpipe’.  It is described as: ‘Maintaining a constant humidity for your drones, bag and reeds to achieve a consistently rich sound from your pipes.  ‘Constant humidity will increase the longevity of your instrument,…