MSP TO PRESENT PETITION TO PROTECT FAMOUS POLICE PIPE BAND'S STATUS.
Tomorrow (Monday 29th June) SNP West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan will take part in a delegation presenting a petition to Strathclyde Police's Chief Constable voicing concerns over planned cuts for the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band.
Concerns have been raised for several months after it was discovered that the future of the world famous Pipe Band was uncertain when it was announced the band would only play at two of the five main piping competitions of the year.
The petition which has been sponsored by the Piping Times magazine has already attracted over 3000 signatures.
Speaking the day before presenting the petition Mr McMillan, a piper himself who has played at Scottish Parliamentary events, said:
"I am deeply concerned about this issue for what is one of Scotland's most famous pipe bands. The band have been at the top of their game for years and it would be a terrible mistake to see them downgraded.
"Not only are they top class players but they serve as ambassadors for the Scottish Police, Scotland and piping when playing here and abroad.
"The presence of the band has also undoubtedly increased good relations within the communities they work in.
"In essence it is a matter of confusion as to why the largest force in Scotland is not willing to continue the important work their band do.
"This is why I am helping present this petition and hope that the Chief Constable will help facilitate a reconsideration.
"There has been great concern across the piping community and further afield and I hope that the Chief Constable will take heed of these concerns."
1. The petition can be read here:
2. Stuart will be handing in the petition to Strathclyde Police HQ in Glasgow on Monday 29th June.
Full details are:
When: 1.55pm, Monday 29th June
Where: Meet outside Hotel Ibis, 220 West Regent Street, group will then be "piped" up to Strathclyde Police HQ on Pitt Street where Stuart and other representatives will hand in the petition.
3. Stuart McMillan's Parliamentary motion reads as follows:
Short Title: Don't Silence the Pipers S3M-03525 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament notes with concern that the future of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band is in jeopardy; acknowledges that the band has origins in 1883, was set up by public request and was endorsed by an act of Parliament; further notes that the band has been a regular feature at the five major events of the pipe band calendar, the Scottish, British, European and World Championships, as well as the Cowal Highland Gathering, but that this will be cut to playing at only two this year; congratulates the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band for continued success in the prize list at these major competitions and for being outstanding ambassadors around the world for Strathclyde Police, Scotland and piping; notes the record attendance for the band's performance at this year's Celtic Connections; welcomes the increasing investment in other Scottish police force pipe bands, and calls on the chief constable to consider carefully the move to silence the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band.
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