UK Pipe Band Championships Results (picture update)

Belfast once again hosted the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships and the spacious cricket pitch at the Civil Service Playing Fields at Stormont provided a perfect venue. It was outstanding day for St Laurence O’Toole from Dublin (pictured above) who took first in G1 and the drumming P/M Alen Tully said: ‘After the disappointment of Paisley the band was outstanding today. We are delighted.’ The full result in Grade 1 was:…

Saturday Morning Update/ Iain Wins Cuach (updated)

A big day of piping on both sides of the Atlantic. At Stormont, Belfast, the UK Pipe Band Championships are already underway. This is the second major of the pipe band season. PP correspondent MacStig reported: ‘From a cloudy sky and intermittent sun in Belfast, the early contests are off and running. A healthy crowd for the Juvenile contest kicked off at 1030am. Tuning might be tricky and showers are…

PP Ed’s Blog: Band MSRs/ Aberdeen Games/ Honours/ New Books/ Renfrew PB

I have some sympathy with the views of Calum and Stewart who commented on ‘The Analyst’ piece on MSRs – some sympathy but not too much. It is one of the problems of pipe band competition that the legislators, those who have the power to effect positive change, seldom sit through the events in need of an overhaul. Nor do bands people, the competitors, those on whose views the RSPBA…

Solo Judges Issue Summer Statement

The SPJA have sent this: The SPJA Committee met at the Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore, on the 22nd April. It was decided to meet in Aviemore due to the distances involved for each person travelling. All the Committee were in attendance – Colin MacLellan, Neill Mulvie, Bruce Hitchings, Euan Anderson, Angus MacDonald, and Jack Taylor. November Seminar: Further to the previous meeting, the Piobaireachd Society has now agreed to the SPJA holding…

Ardrossan Games Junior Piping (updated)

No seniors at this contest held in warm sunny conditions on the Ayrshire coast but excellent piping from the young contestants. 13 Years & Under March 1st – Gregor Grierson 2nd – Zealand Niamh McElhinney 3rd – Fraser Hamilton 4th – Finlay Peden 5th – Christopher McCarton 6th – Ewan Allan 15 Years & Under MSR 1st – Bobby Allan 2nd – Luke Kennedy 3rd – Ross Connor 4th – Nicholas…