Pipe bands appeal

Press, 27 September 1982, Page 6

Pipe bands appeal

The Highland Pipe Bands’ Association of New Zealand has launched a national foundation aimed at putting the association back on a sound financial footing. The move was made at the association’s annual meeting in Christchurch at the weekend.

Mr Brian Coutts, the national publicity officer, said last evening that about four years ago the Government had cut its financial support of the association. “We used to get a grant every year of about $lO,OOO most of which was distributed to pipe bands," he said. “But the Government reduced the grant to $750, and since then the nine bands have been getting financial

help from local bodies. But the association has been left out.” he said.

"So we decided to set up a foundation, open to public subscription, to raise funds for the association, which represents every pipe band in New Zealand.” Mr Coutts said the foundation's funds would be spent on seminars for piping, drilling, and drumming, as well as running the association itself, and perhaps paying for a band to travel overseas.

Subscriptions to the foundation, which were paid only once, were $250 for life members and $lOO for associate members.

Mr Coutts said that, at the first meeting of the foundation on Saturday evening, 23

life members and four associate members joined.

Before the foundation was launched, the Highland Pipe Bands Association held its annual meeting. Mr Ross Wilson, of Christchurch, was elected chairman, and, Mr Euan Dunlop, also of Christchurch, was elected his deputy.

the association will invite Mr John McAllister, of Scotland. to visit New Zealand next year to be a judge for the 1983 national highland pipe band championships. Mr McAllister is pipe major of the Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band, one of the world's leading pipe bands, and is regarded as the foremost pipe band judge, according to Mr Coutts.