The SPSL Members Competition - 12th May 2012

Turnout of both competitors and audience was lower than in recent years but this did not prevent those present enjoying a day of quality piping.

Guest adjudicator, Murray Henderson, commented of the high standard of performance and upon how much he enjoyed the day.  Feedback from the public, attending members and competitors was extremely positive and, as one person commented 'It was almost as though they designed the building with piping competitions in-mind'. 

The open competitions were fiercely contested by society stalwarts Roger Huth and, our treasurer, Andrew Hall. Andrew emerged the eventual victor (by a short head) in all events. His fine performance of the Earl of Ross's March in the piobaireachd event was particularly noteworthy.

The adult amateur events were no less competitively fought. The results of these were:

Piobaireachd
1. Kieron Cooney 2. Tom Broderick 3. (equal) Dave Gatcum & Bill Simpson

March Strathspey and Reel
1. Tom Curd 2. Bill Simpson 3. Kieron Cooney

6/8 March

1. Bill Simpson 2. Kieron Cooney 3. Tom Broderick

Hornpipe & Jig

1. Kieron Cooney 2. Bill Simpson 3. Tom Curd

Murray Henderson later made particular mention of the musicality shown in Bill Simpson's performances. At eighty eight years 'young' Bill remains a formidable challenge to all-comers in amateur events held across the South of England. As the judges commented "we'll be lucky to still be standing at that age, let alone blowing a good tone"!

Juvenile piping was won by Matt Asbridge, and the honours in the chanter competition were taken by Patrick Perrera

After a break for refreshments, proceedings recommenced in the evening with a recital by Murray Henderson. Murray treated an appreciative audience of approximately fifty devotees to a broad selection of tunes from small two parted marches through to some of the most intricate piobaireachd, pausing on the way to serve up a good helping of the classic competition marches, strathspeys and reels. Thankfully, like the other 'giants of piping' Murray does not seem to find it necessary to indulge in 'kitchen piping' as we hear too often these days in recital formats.

During the evening, Murray also consented to be 'interviewed' by piping co-ordinator Roddy Livingstone and to take questions from the floor. During this session we learned about Murray's roots in piping, his migration from New Zealand to the UK forty years ago, his further studies in piping with Bob Nicol at Balmoral, the practice routine which has kept him in the top flight of pipers for five decades, and his profession as a reedmaker and the contribution he has made through the development of the Naill chanter and latterly his own 'Strathmore' brand pipes to the wonderful tone we all enjoy today.

Without doubt the furthest travelled member of the audience was another Kiwi, Ross Hanning of Wellington, New Zealand who managed to find the time to attend whilst passing through London on business. Some society members will remember Ross's dad John who took a sabatical from practising law in New Zealand in the early eighties to become 'Piper in Residence' at Blair Castle. During this period, John competed several times in London and later won the Gold Medal at Oban in 1987. Ross himself is an accomplished player, having won most of the major prizes in New Zealand and on the rare occasions he has competed in Scotland, enjoyed success there. He was also for a number of years pipe-major of the succesful grade one New Zealand Police Pipe Band which featured most of the great names in antipodean piping including the late Donald Bain.

The evening drew to a close, and as is usual after hearing such fine playing, there appeared to be a reluctance to rush home to the various parts of the south of England (and in one instance Wales). It is almost as though there was a hope that Murray would shoulder the pipe again for a further set or two but this was not to be. To say a good time was had by all would be a huge understatement!

The committee have worked hard to make this competition and recital possible and really appreciate the support which attending members and guests afforded to this event. This venue might well become the home of future Member's Competitions, being easy to get to and somewhat more cost effective than anything we can currently find in the capital.