Performances are piping hot at Paisley Championships

Paisley was alive with the sound of pipes and drums on Saturday (23 July) as it hosted the Pipe Band Championships.

Article Source: Paisley 2021
Last Updated: 24 July 2016 11:29

Paisley was alive with the sound of pipes and drums on Saturday (23 July) as the town hosted its seventh annual Pipe Band Championships.

Bumper crowds lined the High Street and County Square to watch pipers and drummers from across Renfrewshire, Scotland and further afield compete to be named champions. More than 20 bands put on more than 40 performances for thousands of spectators.

The successful event forms part of the exciting and expanding calendar of cultural events across Renfrewshire which form part of Paisley’s bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021.

Each band marched from High Street, to the final tuning area at the Cenotaph, before making their way to the main arena in County Square. Here, they performed to a panel of judges from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

The standard of competition was extremely high, with the winners in each category being:

Grade 4
1st Williamwood 2nd Strathendrick 3rd Northumberland Scottish Pipes & Drums
Best Corps of Drums: Johnstone

Grade 3 Medley
1st College of Piping 2nd Strathendrick 3rd Johnstone Grade 4
Best Corps of Drums: Milngavie

Grade 3 MSR
1st College of Piping 2nd Williamwood 3rd Northumberland Scottish Pipes & Drums
Best Corps of Drums: Milngavie

Grade 2
1st Johnstone 2nd College of Piping 3rd Milngavie
Best Corps of Drums: Johnstone

Grade 1
1st Johnstone
Best Corps of Drums: Johnstone

The winning bands were presented with their trophies by chieftain of the event, Renfrewshire’s Depute Provost John Caldwell. He said: “It was an honour to be able to present the bands with their recognition for a great day’s entertainment.

“Once again, Paisley town centre provided a fantastic backdrop for the pipers, drummers and large crowds who came to experience the sounds and spectacle of the Paisley Pipe Band Championships. This is an ever popular event which attracts people from all over the UK to the town, bringing great benefits to our communities and businesses.”

During the event, people were able to submit their stories on what makes Paisley and Renfrewshire great as part of the What’s Our Story? consultation. The campaign aims to capture the everyday moments and tales that make the area one of Britain’s most exciting and diverse to live in.

People can also submit their stories online using #MyStoryMyTown or at www.whatsourstory.co.uk.

The Paisley 2021 bid aims to transform the town and Renfrewshire’s future by using its unique cultural and heritage offering as the home of the Paisley Pattern and one-time centre of the global textile industry.

Bids are expected to be lodged with the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport in Spring 2017.

For more information on Paisley 2021, visit www.paisley2021.co.uk, like /Paisley2021 on Facebook or follow @Paisley2021 on Twitter and Instagram.

Image: Pokemon, pipes and Paisley! Ruari Buchan of Johnstone Pipe Band is the latest to join the Pokemon craze as he competes in this weekend’s Paisley Pipe Band Championships, the latest in the town’s expanding events programme as it bids to be UK City of Culture 2021.