Tweedvale Pipe Band performs at World Pipe Band Championships.

Tweedvale Pipe Band travelled to Glasgow last Saturday to participate in the largest pipe band contest on the planet, the World Pipe Band Championships. Held on Glasgow Green, the World’s attracts over 250 bands from all across the globe to compete for the coveted title of World Champions. Tweedvale Pipe Band arrived in Glasgow before mid-day in order to prepare for their performance and found Glasgow pleasantly dry- the promised weather of pouring rain had failed to materialise and the band enjoyed some decent weather in which to set up. Playing fourth out of 25 bands in the Grade 3B contest, the band put in a reasonably confident performance of their March Strathspey and Reel set before a large and appreciative crowd. The band then went off to relax and enjoy the sounds and spectacle of the World Championships. When the results were announced in the early evening, Tweedvale were placed 22nd out of 25 bands, with the Grade 3B World Championship title being taken by the Pipe & Drums of Central Scotland Police. The band considered this a disappointing result, as the feeling of the band directly after the performance was that this was the best they had ever played the MSR set in competition.

Speaking about the outcome of the World Championships, Tweedvale Pipe Major Bruce Gillie said "It was a disappointing result on Saturday. The band seemed to play well enough, but we obviously didn't play as well as we thought as we were marked well down by all four judges. The result does show how far we still have to progress with the March Strathspey and Reel discipline before we can start to challenge for prizes at major championships. Fortunately for us, the remaining contests we are entered in are Medley contests and we have been playing this set really well of late. I am hopeful of a good performance and result at Melrose to set us up for the last championships of the year at Cowal."

Tweedvale’s competition season continues this weekend when the band travels down the Borders to participate in the Melrose Pipe Band Championships. Held in the grounds of St Mary’s School, Tweedvale Pipe Band is scheduled to play 7th out of 15 bands in the Grade 3 contest and 1st out of 8 bands in Grade 2. Tweedvale Pipe Band’s attendance at the Melrose Pipe Band Championships has been made possible due to generous coach sponsorship from the Union Club and Lodge 856 Social Club to both of whom the band extends its thanks. Melrose is the second last contest to be included in the Branch Champion of Champions rankings and the band will be hoping to consolidate their lead at the top of the Grade 3 table with a good performance. Following on from the Melrose contest is the last Major Championships of the year, the Cowal Pipe Band Championships in Dunoon.