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MSP pipes up over threat to police band

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Published Date: 28 June 2009
By Lisette Johnston
A NATIONALIST MSP is to take his concerns for the future of a police pipe band to the force's chief constable.
SNP West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan will take part in a delegation tomorrow which will present a petition to Strathclyde Police's Chief Constable over planned cuts for the force's pipe band.

They will submit the petition to force headquarters
in Glasgow.

Concerns were raised after it emerged that the world famous pipe band would only play at two of the five main piping competitions of the year.

The petition, sponsored by the Piping Times magazine, has more than 3,000 signatures.

McMillan, a piper himself, said: "I am deeply concerned about this issue for what is one of Scotland's most famous pipe bands.

"The band have been at the top of their game for years and it would be a terrible mistake to see them downgraded.

"Not only are they top class players but they serve as ambassadors for the Scottish Police, Scotland and piping when playing here and abroad.

"The presence of the band has also undoubtedly increased good relations within the communities they work in.

"In essence it is a matter of confusion as to why the largest force in Scotland is not willing to continue the important work their band do.

"This is why I am helping present this petition and hope that the Chief Constable will help facilitate a reconsideration.

"There has been great concern across the piping community and further afield and I hope that the Chief Constable will take heed of these concerns."





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  • Last Updated: 27 June 2009 9:22 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

Joe Plaice,

the Nutmeg of Consolation 28/06/2009 00:59:21
The Chief Constable will try to avoid doing anything as the arrogance of such people reaches biblical proportions when they reach such high office. More illogical decision making which is designed to baffle, confuse and annoy people who see that such decisions make no sense but have to abide by them. Such is the intent of Common Purpose, fragment society by damaging that which we hold most dear. Fight Common Purpose.
2

Fifi la Bonbon,

28/06/2009 01:04:20
Instead of taking his petition to the police, why not take it to the Scottish Arts Council and the culture minister whoever he or she is?

I understand that this is an assisted places MSP and not one with an actual constituency and with constituents expressing concern about fear of crime, but he must be aware that there is a lot more public concern about rising violent crime and lack of police to patrol the streets, than about police getting time off to attend galas. Obviously the "piping community" doesn't agree with this, but the police will enjoy good relations with communities if people feel safe - not because they can't leave their front door after it gets dark but some pipers showed up to their local gala once a year.

Especially now that criminals don't get sent to jail any more, and if they don't turn up for "community punishment" nothing much happens to them.

We need full time police, and if people want to pay for public pipers than the arts and culture budget must pay for this, not the policing budget.

I bet Common Purpose are behind this outrage. They have infiltrated the world of piping and the results are plain to see.
3

Gregor Addison,

Glasgow 28/06/2009 02:58:20
Fifi,

it was a unionist agenda that tried to rig the voting system for the Scottish parliament to make sure the SNP didn't get a vote that would count. Well, they did. And now you want to change it. What a surprise.
4

Scottish and Proud,

Glasgow 28/06/2009 06:14:01
Fifi as someone who is so concenrned about crime in Scotland I am sure like the rest of us you will want to congratulate our SNP government for the massive increase in numbers under its stewardship .
We are on target to increase police numbers by 1,000.

Yet again our SNP government excelling the previous incumbents in Holyrood.
5

Jock's Away,

Africa 28/06/2009 07:02:46
Has he lost the plot? "top of their game? Ambassadors for Scottish police!! As a Scot with an apreciation for Pipe Music, I have no hesitation to contend this is ENTERTAINMENT in the 21st century and not the battle rally of empire, operationally essential for the outcome.
People recognised the value of a service that has policemen on the street, men & women that they can trust & have confidence that in being able to get one in a time of need, without all the trimmings or decoration.
The reply from a 999 call of "Can you call back in a week the band & support team is on it's Canada tour." Is not repeat, not what the tax payer wants to hear or need.
6

donald,

glasgow 28/06/2009 08:49:06
Maybe Michael Martin, a piper, will come up to support the band.
7

Stan Butler,

28/06/2009 09:21:29

We obviously have far too many MSPs if they have time on their hands to deal with such trivialities.


8

Queen D,

28/06/2009 09:30:13
I have a friend who comes from the States every year , bringing a coach load of tourists , and they visit the World Pipe Band Championships along with the Tattoo in Edinburgh.
It gives the folk from the States a real taste of Scotland .
That said he ,knows a great deal about pipe bands and rates the Glasgow Police Pipe band very highly, however because he is resident in LA he tends to rate the Los Angelos Police Pipe Band even more highly!

The Chief Constable of Strathclyde is Scottish ?? No??
9

M78,

Tain 28/06/2009 10:57:59
Jock's away with the fairies, a wee touch water in our national drink will do you no harm and perhaps remind you that the Strathclydd Police pipe band are world famous, I do suspect that ,inspite of your nom de plume, you are a morris dancer.
10

The Tin Man,

28/06/2009 11:06:31
So that's why I never see any police on the streets - they are all in Sydney....
11

Budgie,

INCHINNAN 28/06/2009 12:54:16
Perhaps the famous Strathclyde Police Pipe Band could exist without members having to be policemen. Scottish Power Pipe Band seem to manage fine without the members being Scottish Power employees. I believe a similar situation exists with Northern Constabulary Pipe band.
It would be a pity to see the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band disappear.
12

Roy,

28/06/2009 13:27:43
From Strathclyde Police website:

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band is one of the oldest and most prestigious pipe bands in the world today.

The pipe band is made up of serving police officers from the Pipe Band Unit – a fully operational unit based at Glasgow City Centre Police Office. The officers carry out a range of police duties, including uniform and plain clothes patrols, community safety, drugs awareness, training, public order and firearms duties.

The pipe band is in great demand, performing at events throughout the Force area and beyond. It's famous for winning 12 World Pipe Band Championships – six of which were won in record breaking succession from 1981 to 1986. The unit still enjoys success at the top of the pipe band world – in 2003 the team was crowned British Pipe Band Champions and was invited to perform at the 75th Royal Variety Performance in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen.
13

Roy,

28/06/2009 13:36:09
No. 8 Queen D - born in Glasgow but has spent most of his life and career in England -
http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/index.asp?locID=339&docID=-1
14

it has always been allan,

28/06/2009 13:58:12
The Strathclyde police band has non police guest pipers.

Worry about something else like your Scottish head teacher who has spent all the country's money and now plans to give £60bn away for climate change.

The lunatics are running the asylum
15

Queen D,

28/06/2009 14:19:12
Thanks Roy!

Ithasalwaysbeenallan, an interesting article about climate change conference in Denmark , where the embarrassing scientific expert on polar bears ( far from declining merrily breeding!)has had his invitation rescinded!I think it was the Times, and I think the experts name is Michael Taylor.
16

Eve,

Scotland 28/06/2009 22:27:26
Save Strathclyde Police's Pipe band!!!
17

Joe Plaice,

the Nutmeg of Consolation 28/06/2009 23:01:08
As I have said before to Fifi le dumb-bum, it's very easy to mock something like Common Purpose, which would suit them perfectly. If you are able to make fun of the fact that there is a fifth column at work in British society and that we are all threatened by it, then that is because you are either seriously ignorant about them and should do some research or you are just plain ignorant and nothing will ever change that.
18

Brianwci,

28/06/2009 23:39:51
The Police Pipe bands are excellent links between police and public and should be supported.

They are also first class tourist magnets. We can't afford not to support them.

 

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