PP Editor’s Blog: All Ireland Solos/ Whisky Galore/ 24 Renfrew Street

To Dublin tonight for tomorrow’s All-Ireland Solos.The Championships are under the joint auspices of the Irish Pipe Band Association  and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch)  and will be held in Trinity Comprehensive  School, Ballymun, Dublin. For those going along, Piping is at 10am and Drumming at 11. Here are the current champions:  Senior Piping: Ashley McMichael, Field Marshal Montgomery Senior Drumming: Michael McKenna, St. Laurence O’Toole Piobaireachd A: Graham Drummond,…

PP Editor’s Blog: Pibroch by the Sea/ Bob Shepherd/ Shotts and the Worlds/ New Highland Games

This weekend sees the annual ‘Piobaireachd by the Sea’ event at Cancale, Brittany, the brainchild of famous Breton piper and teacher Jakez Pincet. Pipers come along, have a tune or two on the beach and enjoy some refreshment courtesy the town hall. The two-day mini festival features a workshop at which participants will have a chance to brush up their tunes. It is being given by Piobaireachd Society President, Dr Jack…

PP Editor’s Blog: P/M Paul Selwood/ SPA WW1 Concert/ Bagpipemakers Book/ Tryst Contest

It was distressing yet uplifting to read yesterday of P/M Paul Selwood, 1st Batt. Scots Guards, and his brave fight against cancer. His is an agonising burden borne with dignity, a dignity that will follow him to the end. Anyone who ever met Paul will know of his easy manner, ready smile and a willingness to help others. They will know too of his justified pride in his regiment and…

New Format for Novice Bands Announced/ SPA Juv. Draw/ Grampian League

The RSPBA have announced the following changes for Grade 4 and Novice bands playing requirements for 2016. There have also been significant additions to the list of prescribed tunes. These can be accessed here. From 2016, for major championships, Novice Juvenile bands will be split into A and B grades, Novice A aligned with Grade 4a and Novice B with 4b. The playing requirements for Grade 4A and Novice A…

CPA Appeal re Re-Scheduled Roseneath/ Sound Archive Additions

Roseneath Games piping competitions, cancelled during the summer following foul weather, have been re-scheduled for October 18, Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh at 10am. The Competing Pipers’ Association today makes an appeal to its members to support the organisers in their hard work re-organising things by making sure the piping competitions have healthy entries. CPA Secretary Donald MacLeod: ‘Piping Convenor Helen Campbell has gone out of her way to make this happen and we…