Posted on 12/24/2011 11:56:52 AM PST by ConorMacNessa
EVERY August for the last 16 years, Melrose and its annual pipe band championships have proved a magnet for attracting some of the countrys best pipers and drummers to compete for the prestigious silverware.
From a small initial event, the championships now boast fierce competition among top bands and thousands of pounds are pumped into the local economy.
But this years contest could be in jeopardy following the decision of founding chairman, Ian Graham, and the events entire committee to step down and call it a day.
Just two members of the committee are not members of Mr Grahams family and he says the only reason behind the mass resignation is nothing more sinister than people wanting to spend time doing other things and the feeling that now is the right time for change.
The championships have, over the years, grown considerably and are now regarded as one of the flagship events held in our area, Mr Graham told TheSouthern this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at thesouthernreporter.co.uk ...
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Looks like a local nonprofit needs to pick up the gauntlet. If it brings in so much to the local economy, businesses should be happy to sponsor with seed money and volunteers should step up to fill the family members roles.
The ping list lives! It had been a while since I had gotten a scottish ping so I thought it might have died. Every time I get one of these pings I can’t help but think of sionnsar. Thanks so much for the ping Conor. :-)
bttt
Sad to see a tradition die, hopefully someone will step up and keep it going!
That said.....hopefully I’m starting a new family tradition tonight by making Cullen Skink (Finnan Haddie / Smoked Haddock Chowder) for an appetizer, surely to follow by a few drams (a long time family tradition).
A non-profit? Seed-money from businesses? Tis Scotland we’re talking about, the noo!
Oh, Danny boy...
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