Piping school pupils perform

The North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Band have had a fantastic competition season during 2013 taking part in five major competitions at Bathgate, Forres, Dumbarton and Cowal.

And the highlight was a very credible third place at the World Pipe Band Championships which were held in Glasgow Green on Sunday, August 18.

The band also took part in various highland games throughout the year including, Shotts, Bearsden, Helensburgh and Bridge of Allan, and were placed highly in all of these competitions.

The band was fortunate enough to win no fewer than eight trophies at North Lanarkshire’s very own Shotts Highland Games.

Jim Park, head of music instruction for North Lanarkshire Council, said “Over the years, the band has been extremely successful and as a council we are extremely proud of their achievements.

“Their performance at the World Championships was exceptional and we are already looking forward to seeing what our young people can achieve next season.

“The band is now in its eighth year and continues to go from strength to strength.

“Piping and drumming teaching is now embedded in our schools and over 180 young people receive instruction.

“Such has been the success of the band, for the past three seasons we have been able to field two full competing pipe bands at RSPBA major competitions The Pipe Major for the band is Ross Cowan and the drumming programme is led by Steven Nelson who are instrumental teachers in North Lanarkshire Council.”

Andrew Sutherland, who is the newly appointed executive director of learning and leisure services at North Lanarkshire Council came along to an evening practice session at Coatbridge High School.

He said: “When I took up the job with North Lanarkshire Council everyone talked to me about the quality of the music in schools here and I have to say that I was hugely impressed at the standard of the pipe band.

“I worked in the North East of Scotland for 20 years where pipe band music is very popular and the quality of the performance by North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Band is among the best I’ve heard.”

Jim Logue, convener of learning and leisure services, also praised the group and spoke of their successful season.

Councillor Logue, added: “I’d like to congratulate everyone associated with the pipe band for another year of achievement.

“The young people are a credit to our area and I’d also like to thank the music tutors for their hard work

and support.”