LBPS Annual Competition 2022 – The Results

The LBPS Annual Competition 2022 was held in Linlithgow on Saturday, 9^th April 2022.

It was the first time the Society had been to this historic town. The town's old municipal building, the Burgh Halls proved to be a superb venue and was only a five-minute walk from the railway station. The town itself is conveniently situated roughly halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

At the Burgh Halls (built in 1670) we pretty much had the running of the place. The acoustics were superb. Due to the ease of getting there plus the superb facilities, the committee is considering returning there for the 2023 competition.

At lunchtime, a dozen or so competitors played on the veranda for an Easter event the town held for local children ... and, naturally, the town tune, The Roke was given an airing.

   

            The Linlithgow Burgh Halls                                      Rona Dawson playing in the Open Solo

 

The results are shown below. The videos of the winning entries can be seen on the Lowland & Border Pipers' Society Official YouTube channel. Please follow the link to enjoy the tunes. 

 

Seasoned Pipers – Nigel Richards Trophy

Judge – Neil Clark

1^st Brian Mulhearn – Mulinders Hymn, MacCrimmon’s Wedding, Lenny’s Bus (Hornpipe), Rowan Martin

2^nd David Hannay – The Mill, Corn Riggs with variations

3^rd John Kelly – Mary Scott, Flower of Yarrow, Mrs Hamilton of Pentcaitland

Intermediate – Julian Goodacre Trophy

Judge – Neil Clark

1^st Robert Porter – She Moved Through The Fair, Ae’ Fond Kiss, part of The Black and The Grey, (Dixon)

2^nd Matt Mochar – Bonnie Lass O’ Fyvie O, The Braes of Killiekrankie, The Roses of Prince Charlie, Flett From Flotta

3^rd John Kelly – Wals Voor Polle By Wim Poesen, Arr. By Ian Kinnear; Le Canal en Octobre - (Frédéric Paris) Arr. by Malin Lewis & Pasacaglia de Pontevedra (Galician  March) Trad. Arr. By Gary West

Novice - Heriot & Allan Quaich

No candidates

Duet for Piper and Singer – Judy Barker Trophy

Judge – Neil Clark

1^st Peter McAllister and Robert Porter – The Mountains of Mourne

Skeely Piper Trophy (tunes associated with Perthshire)

Judge – Neil Clark

1^st Stuart Letford – MacGregor of Rora, Mrs Jane Kennedy of St Annes, The High Drive, (Gordon Duncan),The Straloch Turkeys, (Gordon Duncan)

2^nd Alexander Scott – The Hills of Perth (alternate 4th part by Andrew MacIntyre) The Pitlochry High-school Centenary

3^rd Matt Seattle – An Ye Had Been Whaur I Hae Been, Ye Wad Nae Been Sae Cantie, (arr. Matt Seattle), Forteviot (Matt Seattle)

Open Solo for Scottish Smallpipes – Colin Ross Trophy

Judge – Lee Moore

1^st Rona Dawson – Duke of Fife's Welcome to Deeside, Kirsteen's Jig, The Ring, Dark Lowers the Night, Sleepy Maggie.

2^nd Alexander Scott – The Last Cradle Song, Go To Berwick Johnny, Arlitrach (1885 William Ross setting)

3^rd Norman MacLeod – Soutars of Selkirk (Dixon)

Duet for Pipes – Mains Castle Medal

Judge – Lee Moore

1^st Peter McAllister and Robert Porter – Jack Lattin (Dixon)

2^nd Stuart Letford and Bill Bennett – The Rose of Allendale, Corn Riggs, (arr. Matt Seattle), Cuddy's Wedding, (arr. Matt Seattle)

3^rd Norman MacLeod and Matt Mochar – Muntanyes del Canigo, Kilworth Hills

Solo Pipe and Song – Jimmy Wilson Memorial Cup

Judge – Lee Moore

1^st Matt Mochar – Rose of Allandale

Duet for pipes and other instrument – Dunfermline Tassie

Judge – Lee Moore

1^st Neil Clark and Kathryn Grainger – Lindisfarne, (Matt Seattle), The Rolling Hills Of The Border, (Matt McGinn)

Open solo for Lowland and Border Pipes – Hamish Moore Cup

Judge – Lee Moore

1^st Ian Gelston – Dorrington Lads, (John Rook setting), Andrew Carr, Lairds of Ryton aka Over The Border

2^nd Stuart Letford - Over The Dyke And Till Her Laddie, Lasses Bushes Brawly, (Dixon settings), I'll Gang Nae Mair to Yon Toun (setting by Matt Seattle)

3^rd Matt Seattle - The Fair Maid of Perth, (Matt Seattle), Rock and a Wee Pickle Tow, The Kelpies, (Matt Seattle)

Martin Lowe Trophy - Awarded by the Judges only for the greatest contribution to the performance

of Lowland and Border music on the day of the competition

Norman MacLeod

Overseas Performance Class

Judge – John Saunders

1^st Jeremy Kingsbury – Strike the Bell (Vickers), Little Wee Winking Thing (Dixon)

2^nd Phil Tillman – Kilt Thy Coat Maggie and Dance with Me, Silly Bit Chicken, Deil's Awa wi' the Exciseman

3^rd Paul Connolly – House in St Peters (Allan MacDonald),  Eilean Fhianan (Charlie MacFarlane), Gun'San T’Aparan (Gown and Apron) - Trad

Piobaireachd Weekend – Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th April 2022.

 

Christopher Bacon has kindly offered to host another piobaireachd on smallpipes weekend in Allendale, Northumbria. This will be an in-person event.

The tutor will again be Allan MacDonald, who will upturn all your preconceptions about piobaireachd and provide a musical experience not to be missed – even if you’re not already familiar with this style of music.

The tunes will be The Bells of Perth, Lament for the Laird of Anapool, The Old Woman's Lullaby and 2 Nameless tunes (40 & 41 in Kilberry).

 

The booking form is available below. Anyone wishing to attend should book their own accommodation in or near Allendale in plenty of time. Shared transport to and from the venue can be arranged after booking.

 

Please note: We are aware there is interest in Allan's piobaireachd style from all airts and pairts so we will organise a separate online session event on another date to include as many folk as possible.

 

This year the group would like to encourage pipers who have not had any previous experience of playing piobaireachd to come and join the group. We will be playing smallpipes in A and even the new long practice chanters which work perfectly along with smallpipes. There is no requirement to be able to play a beautifully rippling crunluath but a good standard of playing will get the best from the weekend; at the moment the course is not for absolute beginners. 

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December 2021 Issue of Common Stock

The results of the two LBPS Competition classes held at the Annual Collogue and AGM in October 2021

The Society held its Annual Collogue and AGM at the end of October along with two remaining classes from the competition in what turned out to be a very pleasant day at Old Gala House in the Scottish borders.

The competition was organised by Anne Duncan and featured a mix of in-person and pre-recorded entries.  Hamish Moore was the judge along with members of the audience in the time honoured fashion.

Some of the performances can be watched on the LBPS Youtube channel at Lowland & Border Pipers' Society Official - YouTube
 

The winners were:
Skeely Piper, Sir Walter Scott theme
1 - Robert Porter - Jack Lattin
2 equal - Matt Seattle - Soor Plums, Hoop and Gird Her.
2 equal - Anne Duncan - Uamh an Oir
3 Pete Stewart - The Border Widow Lament, Hoopers and Girders, Round Headed Cuckolds Come Dig.

London Trophy- New Composition
1 - Matt Seattle- The Little White Rose of Scotland
2 - Pete Stewart - The Auld White Road
3 - Rod Nevin - Whitmire

Binders for Common Stock

    

Binders for Common Stock are now available from the Shop.

The binders are beautifully embossed with the Common Stock logo. Each binder can hold 12 issues (6 years of Common Stock). 

One binder costs £12 or you can buy a 2-pack at the reduced price of £20.

June 2021 Issue of Common Stock

LBPS Funding Applications

Applications are invited from individuals for funding for projects related to Scottish bellows blown bagpipes which accord with, or complement, the Society’s own aims as per the constitution published at www.lbps.net

For full details of the award and the types of project for which you may apply, please see the terms and conditions below.

Please submit your completed application form to the Treasurer by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in time to meet one of the two annual deadlines of 1 March or 1 October.  

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The LBPS YouTube channel

There is now a new official LBPS YouTube channel. Please do have a look and PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.

At the moment the channel is mostly made up of archive footage, but all LBPS members are now invited to submit videos for others to enjoy. As recent Zoom events have shown, we are an international community of enthusiastic pipers and we would like the videos on YouTube to reflect this too!

Please see below for guidelines for submission:

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LBPS Annual Competition – Saturday 27th March 2021

 

We are pleased to announce the results of this year's annual competition, held via Zoom:

                                                       RESULTS OF THE LBPS ANNUAL COMPETITION 2021

SEASONED PIPERS CLASS (Judge: Lee Moore)
1st	Pete Stewart	Wo Betyd Thy Wearie Bodie (Skene, MS, 1615) An Old Man Is a Bed of Bones (Playford 1651 arr Stewart) I Am a Silly Old Man (Balcarres MS as ‘Gin the kirk would let me be 1695)
2nd	John Kelly	Mary Scott the Flower of Yarrow Linkcumdoddie
3rd	Jody Lynch	Teddy o Neill  (Air) The Clare jig and The Nora Crionna hornpipe The Wonky Table

 

INTERMEDIATE CLASS (Judge: Iain MacInnes)
1st	Alexander Sime-Scott	The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow, Lassie Gae Milk on My Cow Hill
2nd	Ruari Black	The Rose of Allendale   /   Knucklehead Johnny the Tree Wrecker
3rd	Caroline Barden	Wee Totum Fogg Pawkie Adam Glen

 

PIPE AND SONG CLASS (Judge: Iain MacInnes)
1st	Ian Crane	Tha Mi Sgith
2nd	Pete Stewart	The Ballad of Jock Elliot

 

SCOTTISH SMALL PIPES CLASS (Judge: Hamish Moore)
1st	Stuart Letford	John Anderson   My Jo / Jack Latin (from Dixon) Lassies o’ Melrose
Joint 2nd	Norman Macleod	Dark Lowers the Night (3/4 Retreat), Hacky Honey (9/4 from Dixon, tune #4)
	John Charles Bauschatz	Shuidh Mi air Cnocan an t-Siùil A Bhean Ud A-staigh Hì Rì a Bho Horo Hug Gur e an Latha He Mo Leannan, Ho Mo Leannan Clo Mhicllemhiceil
3rd	Bill Bennett	My Home Town, Scarce of Tatties, Drops of Brandy Aye Walkin O

 

LOWLAND & BORDER PIPES CLASS (Judge: Gordon Mooney)
1st	Stuart Letford	Rowan Tree (arrangement by Mark Stewart, Crieff) The Lasses Bushes Brawly (from Dixon; the first four parts only) Dixon’s Highland  Laddie (from Dixon but I shall miss our parts 6 and 7 due to time constraints).
2nd	David Faulkner	Joyful Days Will Come (David Faulkner)  Dorrington Lads (Rook manuscript)
3rd	Ian Crane	Wat Ye What I Got Late Yestreen Kiss'd Her Under the Coverlet

 

        

                           Ian Crane                                                                        Stuart Letford   

 

                       David Faulkner

Videos of the prize-winning entries and others have now been uploaded onto the LBPS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LowlandBorderPipersSocietyOfficial

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Nigel Richard, 1948–2021

We are sad to announce the death of Nigel Richard. Nigel was a leading light in the bellows piping revival. He was 73 and had been fighting cancer for a few years. He died on the evening of New Year’s Day in an Edinburgh hospice where he had only just been admitted.

Nigel was the proprietor of Garvie Bagpipes of Pathhead in Midlothian, Scotland. His business was formerly based just off Easter Road in Edinburgh. The company ceased trading one week before Christmas.

Nigel was born in London, England and moved with his wife, Heather to Lochaber in Scotland in the early 1980s. Professionally, he worked in accountancy and in the navy before, in 1985, enrolling in a two-year musical instrument repair course at Stevenson College in Edinburgh. He then started making bagpipes professionally in 1987 and never looked back.

Nigel was Convenor – Chairman – of the Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society from June 2003 till November 2006. Current Convenor, Stuart Letford, said: “This is sad news. We knew Nigel hadn’t been well these last few years. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm, his depth of knowledge about reeds and tuning etc, and the quality of his instruments.”

Finlay MacDonald, Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre and who has played Nigel’s instruments for many years, said: “Nigel was a great innovator, a brilliant musician and pipe maker, but most of all a great friend.

“I used to love going to visit Nigel at his workshop of a Saturday morning, spending the day foutering with pipes, talking about music and writing tunes. We’d inevitably end up in the pub playing tunes and having great craic for hours on end. That’s what I’ll remember most about Nigel; his generosity of spirit and infectious enthusiasm for life.”

Although he made bagpipes, Nigel himself wasn’t a piper. His musical interests were in playing cittern and playing Indian music. His style of guitar playing was influenced by Davey Graham.

Nigel was a frequent visitor to India and Thailand, where he met his partner Penn.

We offer our condolences to Nigel’s family.

 

Stuart Letford, LBPS Convenor

(This piece published in Bagpipe.News, January 3, 2021.)

Dr Peter Cooke, 1930–2021

We are sad to announce the death of Dr Peter Cooke. Peter Cooke was a highly respected ethnomusicologist. He was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1930. His music teaching career began in secondary schools and as a lecturer at Redland College of Education in Bristol. He moved to Uganda in 1964 to work as head of music at Makerere College School then to establish the new music department at the National Teachers’ College at now Kyambogo University.

In 1969 he was appointed to lead research into the traditional music of Scotland at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh University. Whilst there he gained a doctorate and initiated ethnomusicology courses.

Peter made over 1,000 field recordings during this time, including investigations into older styles of piping around Scotland and the music traditions in the Western Isles and Shetland Islands.

Peter wrote many scholarly articles on piping for the Piping Times and The International Piper. Stuart Letford of Bagpipe.News (and the last editor of the Piping Times) said: “Peter wasn’t a piper himself but played piano, viols and recorders. In fact, he was Musical Director of the Birmingham Branch of the Society of Recorder Players.

“Outside of music, sailing was a much-loved pastime. With his family, he explored the coastal waters of Scotland. It was always fascinating to speak with him.

“I last heard from him in August 2020, shortly after he celebrated his 90th birthday. He thanked the team at Bagpipe.News for re-publishing his International Piper series on the changing styles in pibroch playing. He said: ‘I suspect the message still needs to reach home to some pipers and to competition judges in particular.’”

Dr Simon McKerrell said: “The attention he paid to Scottish music is a marker of how many ethnomusicologists approach research, viewing it comparatively in relation to other musical traditions around the world. That characteristic is something worth celebrating, and has not always been a facet of the more parochially-inclined researchers of Scottish music who haven’t looked beyond their primary interests to understand the music of others (and thereby learned more about ourselves).”

Peter retired in 1989 but continued to lecture and undertake archival work. He took a part-time post as a lecturer in Practical Ethnomusicology and Scottish Music, at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. He returned there in 2002 when he spent six months there as a consultant. Peter was also an External Examiner for the BA (Scottish Music) course.

In 2019 he was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame for his services to traditional music.

 

Stuart Letford, LBPS Convenor

(This piece published in Bagpipe.News, January 5, 2021)

December 2020 Issue of Common Stock