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Gordon Hamill, Vice-Chairman
Gordon Hamill became vice-chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association in March 2008. With over 25 years of experience in pipe bands from junior level through to national and international level, Gordon plays a key role in the Association’s presentation of the Worlds.
Since I last reported the competing se ason within the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association is now well underway, with twenty five Minor contests and two Major contests now completed.
The Scottish Championships were held at Levengrove Park Dumbarton on Saturdarday 23rd May with 137 bands competing across the various Grades. Although a long day, the weather was kind, and competition was fierce throughout the four Arenas.
The Grade 1 contest produced the first Championship Win at Grade1 level for the St. Lawrence O'Toole Pipe Band from Dublin, Eire. They were closely followed by House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Scotland, Field Marshall Montgomery Nortern Ireland and Strathclyde Police Scotland.
Other Scottish Championship Titles were awarded as follows :-
Grade 2 Torphichen & Bathgate Scotland.
Grade 3A Beeston & District England
Grade 3B Cullenfad Nortern Ireland
Grade Juv George Watson College Scotland
Grade 4A Black Bottle Isle of Islay Scotland
Grade 4B Stamperland Scotland
Grade N/J Bucksburn & District ScotlandAdult D/M Brian Wilson Lomond & Clyde Scotland
Juv D/M Lindsay Hamilton Kileen Nortern Ireland
Jun D/M Iona Burns Dumbarton & District ScotlandDuring June our Chief Executive, Ian Embleton and myself, held on site meetings with both Birmingham City Council and Lisburn City Council for the forthcoming British and European Championships, where details of layouts, Health & Safety requirements, crowd control and access were discussed and agreed.
On Saturday 28th June the British Championships were held at Canning Hill Park, Birmingham with101 Bands competing. Again we were fortunate with the weather. 0n this occasion we made a significant alteration by introducing a separate Arena for Drum Major Marching & Discipline. This proved popular with competitors.
Following on from their recent success at Dumbarton, St. Lawrence O'Toole from Dublin once again took first place in the Grade 1 contest and were crowned British Champions 2008. They were followed by House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead, Strathclyde Police and Scottish Power all from Scotland.
Other British Champions as follows :-
Grade 2 Torphichen & Bathgate, Scotland
Grade 3A MacKenzie Caledonia, Scotland
Grade 3B Pipes & Drums of Central Scotland Police, Scotland
Juv Inverary & District Scotland
Grade 4A Black Bottle Isle of Islay, Scotland
Grade 4B Stockbridge, Scotland
N/J Bucksburn & Disrict, ScotlandAdult D/M Ryan Ferry Aughintober, Northern Ireland
Juv D/M Sandra Gordon Banbridge Nortern Ireland
Jun D/M Iona Burns Dumbarton & District, ScotlandThe Draw for the World Championships in Glasgow Green on Saturday16th August took place yesterday at RSPBA Headquarters,Washington Street Glasgow and with the exception of Grade 1 the draw is now available on our website with a total of 221 Bands having entered from various parts of the World
I now look forward to the European Championships in Lisburn,Northern Ireland on Saturday 26th July with121 Bands entered.
A bit of background
I took over the position as Vice Chairman of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association at the Annual General Meeting of The Association in March this year. I retired as a Senior Manager from BT in April,2000.
I have been involved with the Pipe Band fraternity for over 25 years commecing like many other parents by transporting two daughters to chanter and Band practices. My wife Kirsteen's family having been deeply involved in Piping for generations.
I have been associated with Dumbarton & District Pipe Band as a supportive parent,Band Manager,Treasurer,Secretary and Chairman over the period.
Having been approached by the then Chairman I joined the Committee of The Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA in 1998 and later was instrumental in dividing the role of Secretary,to Contest Secretary and General Secretary. I covered the post of Contest Secretary from 2000 to 2007 introducing Contracts for Promoters at all Local Contests. In the past few years I have introduced Major Contest Adjudication format,and Specific Timings at Local Contests.
I certainly look forward to the challenge my new role provides,and with others in partnership, to continually improve the product we deliver to the Bands, Promoters and General Public alike.
