From Bathgate to Belfast
Post categories: Piping,ÌýThe Worlds
| 08:53 UK time, Tuesday, 3 August 2010
took place in Belfast on Saturday 31st July and members Stevie McQuillan & Jonathon Simpson were competing. They took time out to give us a quick run-down of the event and tell us about the band's preperation for The Worlds:
On Friday 31st July I had the journey familiar to many in the pipe band world, a bus journey down the west coast to catch a ferry across the Irish Sea. On an overcast and drizzly Friday this can seem a daunting thought, but when you travel with the one of the biggest pipe bands in the world with an all star cast of Europeans you can be assured of some excitement.
This trip was no exception with the pre-contest banter in full swing. First up was a timely reminder to our renowned piper, Donald Macleod, that it was his birthday. Being someone who is fond of all things Scottish, he was duly presented with a new friend - an inflatable ovine! This quickly followed by another of our characters giving us a superb rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Hey MacLeod Get Off My Ewe" in tribute to the new band mascot.
The French, German and Dutch players as usual added a strong continental flavour to our proceedings, with their ever-present international jibes ensuring the bus was rarely silent. Maik from Germany is well noted for his ability to be creative. Donning a sailor's hat he taunted Gleren from Brittany with many gestures which could only be described as dodgy!! Well, enough of that.
The European Pipe Band Championship was a significant contest for us. We played a blinder and retained our top three placing which is brilliant to follow our runners up success in both the and . Also, our drum corps, the current British Champions are now in first equal position for the Champion of Champions, so we are all in good spirit.
The post-contest phase can be a conundrum but, for us, it was fun and a chance to party before a return to a heavy practise schedule in preparation for the WORLDS.
There is a great sense of purpose in the band at the moment and the confidence is high, albeit, we are clear that we are all here to: compete, compete and compete.
If you fancy a preview of our new Worlds medley, we will be competing at on Saturday 7th August.
Comment number 1.
At 16th Aug 2010, soarsa wrote:I really enjoyed the live stream of the worlds on Saturday it was first class. Why though is this not shown on normal T.V.? I am sure lots of people would have watched it. Golf gets lots of coverage, as I am sure anyone who has suffered day after day of golf and has no interest in the sport would testify to.
I would also like to suggest that some attempt be made to show some of the other grade competitions especially the youngsters, and the Drum Majors. Many people associate with their local band and bands come from all over including England and Ireland. After all more people were at the World's than at any Scottish football match or the final day of the Open golf. Evidence of the latent interest that would be generated by greater exposure, better youngsters joining a band than running around the streets. Not all kids are sport minded or are good enough at it to devote hours of interest to it.
Come on ´óÏó´«Ã½ and RSPBA lets get the most exposure and interest into what is a wonderfull hobby and activity and is part of our national fabric.
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