Tag: Bagpipe Stories

It Is Time We Addressed the Issue of Pipe Band Sizes

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I had this message from Ken Stewart, Northern Ireland, the other day: ‘I just stumbled on an old programme of the European Championships in Stranraer 1989. There were 24 bands playing in Grade 1 and 34 in Grade 2. It is startling just how many of these bands are on longer operational.’ Indeed it is Ken. There is a decline and it is creeping up on us. And don’t use the…

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Drumtochty Games/ Wallacestone PB Anniversary Tune

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Last Saturday’s weather at Drumtochty, Aberdeenshire was, as some would say, ‘braw’, with sunshine and a cooling breeze.  Drumtochty Glen is a picturesque location, more so in such weather. Bearing in mind the ever present talk of cost of living problems, the games were well attended. This was encouraging for the organisers. As to the piping, we had only three in the adults and four in the junior competitions. Despite the low turn-out, the playing made…

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Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Prices/ SPA Meeting/ PS Summer School/ Festival of Junior Piping/ Luss Games

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Tickets are now on sale for the Worlds and already there has been a frisson of discontent regarding spectator prices. One reader has written: ‘I have noticed that tickets for the Worlds have just gone on sale on the Tickets (theworlds.co.uk) ‘I am a little shocked at the various add-ons to the face value of the ticket, thus…. A 12% booking fee will be added to all tickets A £1…

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A Look Back at Lurgan and FMM’s Auld Boys

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The County Armagh town of Lurgan and its sprawling park was the setting for the second RSPBA Major of the season, the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships. The weather was extremely changeable with a warm but blustery morning followed by heavy showers from the start of the Grade 1 competition before it settled back to being dry. It was hard to determine crowd numbers as the grades were well spread…

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Piping Live! Big Band to Return to this Year’s Festival

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The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its 5th showcase at this year’s festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event, the Festival announced today. On Monday 8th August 150 pipers will gather, ranging from little learners playing their chanters to seasoned professionals playing the pipes in their retirement. The bespoke big band will walk the streets of Glasgow as they perform a repertoire of tunes that everyone can play.  The Piping Live!…

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