Police Reaction, Editorial Reaction

There's been a great reaction to my last posting with over 1,000 readers logging on to the Strath Pol update. Thanks to you all. The petition is now at 3,030 so I'll have something positive for Mr Russell when he visits on May 26. Here are a few of the latest comments on the petition:

1. The quicker ........ Stephen House returns to the Metropolitan Police the better. 
2. Long live the Glasgow Polis!
   
3. To not support a Scottish musical institution such as the SCPPB is a travesty to the musical and cultural roots of the Scottish heritage.This is a sinful action being taken by bottom line only administration.This band has done more for Glasgow then any tourism or marketing scheme could ever hope for. Commander Anne McGuire needs to be stopped.
   

If you can get along to Dumbarton on Saturday give 'the polis' a cheer when they appear - assuming of course that shift changes don't suddenly materialise from nowhere and they can't attend. I'll update you all as soon as I hear more re the band.

*

I've just finished CoP Radio for May. It features he last heat of the SPA KO comp. and makes enjoyable listening with both John Mulhearn and Gordon McCready in good form. There's also a piobaireachd, 'MacNeill is Lord There', from John Angus Smith recorded live at the CoP Lecture in March.

*

Donald MacKenzie has emailed about a Fred Morrison gig in Strathblane on June 6; early booking advised. Details: doors open 7pm; Edminston Hall; Tickets £10; call 0141 942 6143

*

David Murray has emailed re my last PT Editorial about the standard and style of the music our bands play today. Thanks for the message David and I hope you don't mind me sharing it:

'Heartfelt congratulations on the excellent and timely remarks contained in the editorial for May about the lack of style, colour, and 'bite' in so much of the playing we hear from the pipe sections nowadays. Together with the limited repertoire on offer the small music of the great pipe is but a shadow of what we used to hear. As one who has marched many a weary mile in this country and overseas to the music of a single piper, whatever those old pipers may have lacked in precision and technique, their playing still had a character and stamp 'that put magic in our feet', while their range of marches was extensive enough for them never to have to repeat a tune over the fifteen or so miles that we used to cover and think nothing of it. Yes, they were sometimes reduced to playing  'Clementine' and 'Daisy, Daisy' but in the middle of India, who cared?

Listening to the performances of regimental pipes and drums recorded at Tattoos and similar functions before World War 2 one realises that simple though the great majority of the tunes and beatings may sound, by the Great Horn Spoon they are 'alive'. As for the drum corps, it was a sad day for this country when that Top Secret Drum Corps first appeared at the Edinburgh  Military Tattoo. Great stuff, but not for our music!

Read the Editorial in the current PT.