Award-winning Annan pipe band opts not to appear in Riding of the Marches parade

Daily Record

3 days ago

The Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band has blamed a change in the piping competition calendar for the move
Annan's award-winning pipe band will not appear in this year's Riding of the Marches parade.
The Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band has blamed a change in the piping competition calendar for the move, which has attracted criticism on social media.
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But the band say they still plan to take part in the pipe band competition at Annan Academy on Riding of the Marches Day on July 5.
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A statement posted on the band's Facebook page read: 'Unfortunately, we need to announce to you that this year we will have limited participation in the Annan ROM festivities.
'Due to a change in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's competition calendar, we have made the incredibly tough decision not to play in the ROM parade or the massed bands at night this year.
'We believe the ROM organisers are looking to make alternative arrangements so that you can still enjoy the sounds of the pipes at the close of the day.
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'This is not a decision we have taken lightly as we love nothing more than seeing the townspeople enjoy the spectacle, but competing remains our number one priority.
'The following week we will be competing in our first major championship of the year at Edinburgh, so we need to do everything in our power to protect the instruments for this so that we can show up in top form to show the world what Annan can do.
'It is not all bad news for our fans though, you will still be able to see us at the playing fields on the day of ROM competing in the grade two contest. Watch this space for when the order of play is announced so you know exactly when to see us.
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'We hope you all understand and hopefully next year the calendar realigns, and we can go back to entertaining you all.'
The announcement was slammed, with one person replying: 'Supporting your own gala day is more important as far as I'm concerned. Poor decision making.'
Another added: 'This is very disappointing news. The grand finale won't be the same if it's not the Annan band playing. Whether there is only a handful of local members or not, they play in the Royal Burgh Of Annan Band surely the clue is in the name.
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'To let us know you'll be competing at the field on the day but not on the high street is a bit of a kick in the teeth to the town.
'Very disappointed to read this, it's one of the very few times we get to see the Annan band play.'
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Some also questioned why the band would be taking part in the competition but not the parade and massed bands performance at night.
Pipe Major Jamie Smith responded: 'We agree that this may be a disappointment to the local people as it is very much a disappointment to us. 'Our participation is very much weather dependent.
'If it is raining this would cause substantial damage to our drum skins and reeds in the pipes. Usually this wouldn't be an issue as there is a three week gap until our next competition.
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'This then gives us time to reset and replace any damages that occur during the bad weather.
'Unfortunately, this years calendar has made us rethink what we do. As the major is the following week, we would only have two practices to turn things around which is no where near enough time for us to be at our optimum level for competing.
'We relayed that information to the ROM organisers and expressed our concerns. As neither of us can predetermine the weather we felt it would be best if another band was sourced on this occasion to guarantee that the spectacle would still go ahead.
'With the change in dates this year, our hands have been tied unfortunately.
'We are hoping the dates go back to normal next year so we can go back to doing what we have done in the past number of years.'