Tag: pipe bands

Editor’s Notebook: British Champs/ Skye 1985/ Jamie’s Tune/ Scott’s Tune/ Queensland Contest/

Posted on      by      1 Comment

Time’s getting on. It’s only 15 weeks or so till the scheduled British Championships (May 20) and there is still no confirmation of a venue. I can tell you that as I write the RSPBA are working very hard to get things sorted. They are committed to a championship in some shape or form. As I’ve said before, we cannot afford to lose this major over something as unimportant to…

More Editor’s Notebook: British Champs/ Skye 1985/ Jamie’s Tune/ Scott’s Tune/ Queensland Contest/

NI News: Richard’s New Masterclass/ Parade of Champions/ All Ireland Date/ Jim Graham/ Tullylaggan 100/ IPBA Recruiting

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Ulster’s pipe bands are set to benefit from a new masterclass featuring 13 times World Champion, Pipe Major Richard Parkes. The new initiative was announced at Stormont when Ulster-Scots musicians from across Northern Ireland came together at Parliament Buildings to mark their success at last year’s World Pipe Band Championships, in a celebration organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency.  The Great Hall was packed to capacity with pipers, drummers and drum…

More NI News: Richard’s New Masterclass/ Parade of Champions/ All Ireland Date/ Jim Graham/ Tullylaggan 100/ IPBA Recruiting

Canada’s City of Victoria Pipe Band Celebrate 50 Years Since Their Founding

Posted on      by      6 Comments

The City of Victoria Pipe Band, British Columbia, Canada, was formed in the autumn {fall) of 1972. Although the band ceased operations a number of years ago, past members met recently, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its formation. By Peter Aumonier Organised by Colin Magee and Gord Pollock, the band gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Victoria, BC, for cocktails, an excellent meal, and an evening of story telling and…

More Canada’s City of Victoria Pipe Band Celebrate 50 Years Since Their Founding

NI News: Gareth Appointed FMM Leading Tip as Keith Retires/ Matt a Hit at Blackthorn/ Stormont Certificates

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

At a celebratory function in the Dunadry Inn last weekend, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band announced that leading drummer Keith Orr had decided to stand down and that his replacement would be drum corps member Gareth McLees. This brings to an end one of the most successful partnerships in pipe band history. Keith and P/M Richard Parkes have shared in around fifty RSPBA Major Championship successes. This includes 11 World,…

More NI News: Gareth Appointed FMM Leading Tip as Keith Retires/ Matt a Hit at Blackthorn/ Stormont Certificates

History: P/M Speedy, Scots Guards, and a Libyan Band he Trained During WW2

Posted on      by      3 Comments

Further to researcher Liz Gardner’s article on the unknown Libyan Pipe Band, I can forward the following information. The band was known as the Senoussi Pipe Band of the Cyrenaican Defence Forces and was taught by Pipe-Major William Speedy of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.  By Ron Abbott Pipe-Major 3184097 William Butler ‘Jock’ Speedy was born in Polwarth [near Duns, Scottish Borders] in 1902 and died in London in 1969.  He was…

More History: P/M Speedy, Scots Guards, and a Libyan Band he Trained During WW2