Piping Live, Strathclyde Police PB

The Worlds and P Live were duly launched today sans the PT presence but no matter. We've a good list of events that will be in the official programme and these will be mentioned in the next PT too. One stick out event will be the Silver Cap solo competition at the CoP on Aug 13. Details are in the PT and can also be accessed via the official contest website at http://www.silvercap.co.uk/. I have been told that a Canadian website is saying this is not part of Piping Live. Can I say that all events being held at the College during the week, though not organised directly by the festival, are part of it and appear in the official programme. Minor point but one worth mentioning in view of the misleading info doing the rounds.

The festival are funding a series of workshops at the CoP and these will be on reedmaking and manipulation, bellows piping, tune composing and bagpipe manufacture. We'll have a free exhibition of pipe band photographs and memorabilia running all week and of course the CoP Summer School will be in full flow. On the Monday night we have 'Piping on the Clyde' run by Wallace Bagpipes in association with College Radio. This event is totally free and I can tell you some top bands have already been lined up to play. Amidst all of this we mustn't forget the SFU concert on the Wednesday. This isn't part of the festival but always draws the biggest crowd of the week. It is rapidly nearing a sell out so if you haven't got your briefs yet get a move on.

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Our visit from Culture Minister Mike Russell went very well on Tues;

you can read more about it in the July PT. MSP Stuart McMillan was there too (pictured left with College director Dugald McIntyre). We had music from a quartet from Strathclyde Police. Unfortunately the lady at the centre of all the trouble couldn't take up my invitation to attend. No matter, the band played well and I think impressed the politicians. Stuart continues to wage war on the band's behalf through the Scottish Parliament and has lodged the following motion in the hope that with enough support from members he will get time for a debate on the issue:

'That the Parliament notes with concern that the future of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band has been put in jeopardy; notes that the pipe band, whose origins date back to 1883, was set up by public request and was endorsed by an Act of Parliament; acknowledges that the pipe band enhances the reputation and prestige of Strathclyde Police worldwide whilst also playing a significant role in community engagements at local level; further notes that the band has been a regular feature at the five major events of the pipe band calendar, the Scottish, British, European and World Championships, as well as the Cowal Highland Gathering, notes the lack of investment in Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and calls on those decision makers to ensure the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band continues and that 126 years of cultural heritage are not jeopardised.'

Good luck with that Stuart. I should have a petition poster ready soon and we'll be going to police HQ in Pitt Street to present it to the powers that be. I hope Stuart will be able to come along with me.