Police pipe band on the beat again after successful salvation campaign

Published on Friday 22 January 2010 21:52

ONE of Scotland's oldest and greatest pipe bands has been saved after a campaign which attracted global support.

Twelve-time World champions, the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band have been at the centre of a year long dispute after police chiefs said serving officers would have to scale back their musical activities.

Both pipe major Don Bradford and piping sergeant Duncan Nicholson resigned in protest, but have now been reinstated after a last-minute compromise.

Robert Wallace, the principal of Glasgow College of Piping and editor of the Piping Times, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the band has been saved."

He said the future of the band was in serious doubt and that Scotland faced the loss of a world-class asset.

"They have won the world championship more than any other band and they are more than 100 years old. They are a world class outfit."

Bagpipe enthusiasts said the idea of scaling down the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band was like taking Celtic or Rangers out of the Scottish Premier League.

More than 5,000 people from around the world signed a petition to save the pipe band, with support coming from the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. A Facebook support group attracted more than 2,500 members.

Facebook campaign founder Sean McCartney said: "The pipe band world was shocked and outraged over this when news first broke.

"I'm just happy for Don and the band. Ever since I was a little kid, Strathclyde Police Pipe Band have been like Led Zeppelin to me."

Under the new agreement, it is understood the serving police officers who make up approximately half the band members will be part of a new "flexi unit", along with other police officers. The force has confirmed that the band will be able to compete in all five major competitions in the piping world – World, British, Scottish, European and Cowal – as well as representing the force at community events.

MSP and keen piper Stuart McMillan, who led the protests in parliament, said he was pleased a solution had been reached. "I found out this morning and I am absolutely delighted.

"It is to the Chief Constable's credit that he has changed his mind. The fact Don Bradford and Duncan Nicholson are back in the band is tremendous.

"I am happy that common sense has prevailed. The Strathclyde Police Pipe Band is a wonderful way for the police force to market themselves in Scotland as well as outside the country."

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police insisted the band had the full support of the force and the Chief Constable, but that difficulties had arisen because of a review of working conditions and practices.

"At no time has the Chief Constable ever suggested that the pipe band be disbanded and has fully supported them since his arrival at Strathclyde Police.

"Over the past 18 months, Strathclyde Police has reviewed all of its back office functions carried out by police officers and returned over 400 officers to frontline duties.

"The Strathclyde Police Pipe Band has been subject of a similar review and their working conditions and practice time have been changed."

Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson said: "I have no doubt that the public would prefer to have an officer on the ground when required rather than attending pipe band functions.

"Like everyone in the public sector, there is a need to modernise."