Judges' bungle spoils pipe dream
A COUNTY band have been left ruing an error at the World Pipe Band Championships last weekend after their third place finish was rescinded.
Bathgate and Boghall Caledonia Pipe Band thought they had their best-ever finish at the event in Glasgow Green last Saturday but, following the announcement, judges then made a dramatic U-turn and instead gave third place to former world champions Simon Fraser University of Canada.
The West Lothian pipers were level on 27 points with the Canadians, but the sticking point was the fact that the North American band scored a better first round, which counts for more if any bands are tied.
Despite the disappointment of moving into fourth place, it has still been recognised as a major achievement at the most prestigious tournament in the piping world.
The band's secretary William McCafferty said: "It was one of those horrible moments when we found out as we thought we had broken into the top three.
"Everyone was left a bit disappointed and jaded, but it happens. Everyone makes mistakes.
"Nevertheless, we are still delighted with our finish which is our best ever. We are delighted to finish fourth at the 'worlds'.
"The guys worked really hard throughout the year and thoroughly deserved to finish in the top three.
"The only fly in the ointment was the mistake made by the RSPBA (Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association) judges. It was only because Simon Fraser Uni had a better first round than us, even though we had a better ensemble mark over the two performances, but that's the rules and we have to accept it."
The popular band, led by pipe major Ross Walker, is one of the most consistent in the world, regularly finishing in the top six of the top competitions.
This year alone, it has finished in the top three of the Scottish, British and European Championships.
The band's 26 Juvenile performers also finished in second place in their category, which bodes well for the future.
Mr McCafferty added: "We are always there or thereabouts and we just need that extra bit of polish to get there.
"Without a doubt this result will certainly inspire us to achieve higher finishes, which is part of the long-term plan."
St Laurence O'Toole from Ireland were crowned world champions and Field Marshall Montgomery from Northern Ireland came second.
More than 53,000 people attended the event which saw pipe bands from all over the world, including those from Paraguay and New Zealand.
The World Pipe Band Championships, which have been held in Glasgow for more than 60 years, drew a record number of people from all over the world to see 8,000 of the very best pipers and drummers compete. This year 239 bands, 133 from Scotland, took part in more than nine hours of fierce competition.
Jim Walker, executive councillor for culture and leisure, paid tribute to the talents of the band.
He said: "I'd like to congratulate all the band members. I'm sure everyone in West Lothian is very proud of them.
"The competition was incredibly fierce with the top bands from across the globe competing. The standard is very high so finishing fourth is an amazing achievement.
"It is great to see that the band also picked up second place in the Juvenile world champion category.
"I know how hard the band work to encourage youngsters to take up piping and drumming. They are a prolific teaching organisation and have a proud tradition of winning Juvenile titles."
Ian Embelton from the RSPBA said: "Every year the standard of competition is so high, but the fans this year have seen something extra special. Planning for next year is already under way, but we are going to have to pull out all the stops to improve on these championships."
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Weather for Bathgate
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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