Highlight of the week had to be the John Young tune presentation we had on Thursday. The whole occasion was well appreciated by the members of his family present. We filmed it for CoP TV and the first part is on air now with a few stills as well. I hope readers approve of the tune and congratulations to P/M Peter MacInnes the composer. There was a very good turnout with kids and their headmaster attending from Hillhead High School John Young’s alma mater (above). Second part of the video will be posted later.
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Stewart Gardner of Polmont has done some great work in establishing a new website for those interested in old pipe band photos. Stewart writes: ‘If anyone has a bit time to kill now the dark nights are here you may care to take a look at a pile of old (and some not so old) pipe band photos which I’ve uploaded on to a website. The link below should take you there and it should be pretty easy to navigate round the site. Right clicking on the top right corner of an image makes it go full screen and starts a slide show of that folder. Three folders are Edinburgh Police, 1 Wallacestone, 1 Muirheads and the last has all my other bits and pieces. More will be added as I go through all my back up discs. Enjoy.’  Well done Stewart.
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The Graeme Johnston contest run by the RSPBA West of Scotland branch is on at the College tomorrow with Ian McLellan judging and sponsorship from Craig Munro at Wallace Bagpipes. All welcome. Start time 9.30.
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Angus MacColl has confirmed he will be bringing Angus Jnr down to the Echoes of Oban next Saturday. Young Angus will kick off the music with Macleod of Raasay’s Salute. All other arrangements are as intimated: £6 at door; 7 for 7.30pm. There is going to be a surprise presentation by Joe Noble and his wife Lynn. Hope Joe wears that Colonel Mustard waistcoat. He was the talk of Inveraray last July.
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Dates for the Highland School in wonderful Achiltibuie have been confirmed as April 1 to 5 with a junior contest to follow on the Saturday. Contact Alison Sinclair for more info and check PT.
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SPA have produced this poster for their concert on Dec 7; sounds like a great night with top pipers taking part.

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Are Strathclyde Police changing their name to City of Glasgow Police? Checking their website we see the Strath Pol band but the web address is cityofglasgowpolicepipeband.org. In the face of police re-organisation next year will we see Lothian and Borders revert back to Edinburgh City Police PB? I don’t suppose the names matter all that much so long as the bands survive.
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I hear a number of good performance in London were spoiled by chokes. Is the widespread use of moisture control devices to blame? Blowing is so crucial. Solo pipers should be able to control the chanter reed with the mouth and neck muscles. This is what gives the finesse, the fine tuning to the sound. When badly installed or badly designed plumbing comes between lips and the vibrating surface of cane the dreaded choke can result – often completely out of the blue and always when the pressure is on.
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Nice to hear piper John Shone in Wiltshire well on the road to recovery after his joust with the grim reaper. No piper will want to miss his story in a forthcoming PT.

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