by Jim Gilchrist

Eight entries for the Open Small Pipes class and five for the Lowland/Border Pipes class meant that the Society's annual competition in Edinburgh on Saturday April 10th, ran on for at least an hour after time, which meant some hasty negotiations with the janitor of St Anne's Community Centre! Considering, however, that once we were lucky if we had any Lowland pipe entries at all, this was the kind of problem we might welcome. Generally high entries for most classes - and, at last, an encouraging input of women players, two of whom took first prizes - and a large and patient audience made this a very successful afternoon all round.

The judges (once again assisted by audience participation in judging) also seemed well pleased, though one later commented that, overall, tuning could be better. The one comparative disappointment was in the Novice class, with only two entries. It was won, however, by Eoin McIntyre of Inverkeithing, who also received a 50 "bursary" from the Society towards a piping course.

There were six entries for the New Composition class, which was won by Jon Swayne of Baltonsborough, Glastonbury, with a fine jig on his Border pipes.

The Duet for Small Pipes class was also low on entries, Jean Campbell and Rona MacDonald being the only pair to enter and taking the prize. Duet class for pipes and Other   Instrument was better supported with six entries, the “other instruments" as diverse as whistle, cittern, accordion and clarinet. Ultimately it was Manuel Trucco on small pipes and John Levine on clarinet who took first prize with a lively set. The Pipe and Song class, with five entries, was won by Judy Barker of Dunfermline with a fine rendition of The Recruited Collier.

Popular as ever, the Open Scottish Small Pipes attracted eight entries and was won by  

Stewart Gaudin from Mauchlin, Ayrshire, with a set comprising Mary Scott, The Earl of Errol, Jocky Said to Jenny, and Wee Totum Fogg. And as the afternoon moved into extra time, the final class, the Lowland/Border Pipes Open, was won by Judy Rockcliff of Hessle, Humberside, with fluid playing on a Jon Swayne set of pipes.

For the second year there was a prejudged cassette class for overseas entrants. There was only one entry, from John Dally of Seattle, but the committee made it clear that John didn't win the Goodacre Trophy by mere default; his was a very commendable set.

Results:

Open - Lowland/Border pipes (Hamish Moore Quaich): 1. Judy Reckcliff, 2. Douglas Walker, 3. Jon Swayne.

Open - Scottish Small Pipes (Colin Ross Trophy): 1. Stewart Gaudin, 2. Jim Eaton, 3. John Goodacre.

Pipe and Song (Jimmy Wilson Memorial Trophy): 1. Judy Barker, 2.Davie Robertson, 3.

Judy Rockcliff.

Duet - Pipes and Other Instrument (Dunfermline Tassies): 1. Manuel Trucoo & John Levine (clarinet), 2. Hamish Moore & Fiona Moore (fiddie), 3. Stewart Gaudin & Steve Wall (whistle).

Duet - Pipes (Mains Castle Medals): 1. Jean Campbell & Rona MacDonald.

New Composition (London Trophy): 1. Jon Swayne, 2. Judith Rockcliff, 3 (equal), Jock Agnew & John Goodacre.

Novice (Heriot & Allan Quaich): 1. Eoin McIntyre, 2. Nick Guise.

Overseas cassette (Goodacre Trophy): I. John Dally.