Archived News - Season 2009
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30th August
Cowal Highland Gathering 2009. Both the Williamwood bands headed to Dunoon to contest the last major championship of the season.
The grade four band were the first to perform in their qualifying heat. They were hampered by a delay in getting to the venue, and despite a good performance, just missed out on qualifying for the final, by only two points. They head to Peebles in two weeks for their season finale, where they will look to cap of a very successful season.
The grade three band had the advantage of a later start, having been drawn to play at 14.22hrs. Despite a heavy shower just before they were due to play they managed to perform extremely well, and were confident of taking first place.
The results confirmed what the grade thee band were hoping for, as they were crowned Grade 3A Cowal Champions 2009. They were then awarded the Grade 3A Champion of Champions award having been the most successful band in the grade at all five of the RSPBA Major championships this season. This capped off the most successful season in Williamwood History, and the band now looks forward to the imminent promotion to grade two.
The band would once again like to thank all their friends, family, and supporters who gave them a strong vocal backing throughout the day, as they have all season.
Photo's online now... |
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15th August 2009
World Pipe Band Championships 2009. Saturday saw both of Williamwood's bands make the short journey to Glasgow Green to contest the World Championships in their respective grade.
The grade four band, due to the large number of bands in their grade, had to play in a Grade 4B qualifying section in the morning while the weather was at its worst. This however did not stop the band qualifying in second place from their heat, a fantastic achievement for the band.
Fortunately the weather cleared up in time for the grade four band to play in their 16 band final. They gave arguably their strongest performance of the season in the final, and were hopeful of possibly sneaking a prize.
The grade three band were lucky to have a later start and missed out on the heavy rain a lot of the bands had to endure in the morning. Having had strong practices during the week, the band were confident ahead of their competition, however in a final of 29 bands they would have to give a flawless performance to have a chance of winning the title. The grade three band gave a solid performance, which was appreciated by a very vocal crowd.
After a few light refreshments both the bands went onto the marchpast to find out their fate. Unfortunately the grade four band just missed out on the prize list, finishing in 10th place. However they were the best Scottish band in their final, and can take great credit from their achievements. A great sign of things to come in the future...
The grade 3A results saw Williamwood's grade three band take 2nd place overall, and 2nd in drumming. A fantastic result for the band, which secures top spot on the Grade 3A Champion of Champions table, with the Cowal championships to spare.
The bands returned to the Redhurst hotel to carry out the celebrations into the early hours of Sunday morning, and would like to thank the Redhurst for their hospitality.
Throughout the day, both the bands were backed by a very large and vocal following. The band would like to thank everyone for their support, and hope they had an enjoyable day. Next up for the bands is the Bute Highland games over in Rothesay, before the final contest of the season, the Cowal Highland Gathering...
Photos online now... |
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8th August 2009
Dundonald Highland Games. Both the Williamwood band's had their final run out in preparation for the World Pipe Band Championships on Saturday. The grade four band were first to compete, and although a slightly nervy performance, did enough to achieve a credible fourth place in grade four. The grade three band then played their medley and a solid performance was enough for first place, with the drum corps also being placed first. The grade three band then took the cobwebs off the March, Strathspey and Reel in the grade two contest, and were placed third.
The band will be looking forward to having a large vocal support, as always, at Glasgow Green on Saturday. The Grade Four band play in the qualifier at 10:42am. The grade three band play in their final at 3:58pm. For more information, visit www.theworlds.co.uk See you all there...
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2nd August 2009
Strathallan Meeting 2009. The Williamwood grade three band continued in their preparations towards the forthcoming World Pipe Band Championships at Bridge of Allan this weekend. It was a rare early start for the band who were drawn to play 1st in grade three. The band put in an excellent medley performance, and will very pleased with the run. Unfortunately they were soon to discover that the contest was in fact March, Strathspey, and Reel discipline. This resulted in an unfortunate disqualification from the grade three event. The band did however take positives from their performance, and looked forward to playing up in a strong grade two field. Another strong medley performance, this time in a medley contest, resulted in a 5th place overall in grade two. Next up for the band is the Dundonald Highland Games on Saturday 8th August, where both the grade three and four bands will be competing. |
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25th July 2009
European Championships 2009. Both the Williamwood grade
four and grade three bands were back in action this weekend following a break
from competition. A warm and sunny Inverclyde waterfront was the venue. The
grade four band were the first to perform in their qualifying heat, and despite
a very early start put in a good performance, that proved enough to see them
through to their 12 band final, Next up was the grade three band in the heat of
the afternoon. Although not able to produce the same level of performance which
captured the British Championships last month, the band were hopeful they had
done enough to make the prize list. Shortly after, the grade four band re
emerged for their final performance, and put in one of their best performances
of the season so far.
The march past provided great joy for both bands. The grade four band were
placed a fantastic 3rd place. By far their best result to date, and a great sign
of things to come. The grade three band were also placed third in Grade 3A which
the band were also pleased with.
Now for the business end of the season. Both bands are performing for the
next five weekends, both home and abroad. Next up... Bridge of Allan Highland
Games - Sunday 2nd August
Photos online now... |
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27th June 2009
Grade 3A British Champions 2009! Following on from some recent good results at local contests, Williamwood traveled to Banbridge, Northern Ireland for the British Pipe Band Championships. Playing 8th out of 24 bands in the grade, the band performed the medley very well in warm conditions and was hopeful of a place on the prize list. The band were rewarded with a fantastic first place, the first time the band has won the British Championships in any grade. The celebrations continued back at the hotel into the early hours of Sunday morning. The band now takes a short break from competitions before preparing for the European Championships in Inverclyde at the end of July.
Photos online now... |
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20th J0une 209
Williamwood's fine start to the season continued at the "Pipes in the Park" contest at Rozelle Estate, Alloway on Saturday. The Grade 4 band re-appeared after a well earned week off last weekend, and placed 3rd in the Grade 4 contest. They then played up into Grade 3 for the first time, and managed an excellent fourth place. The Grade 3 band won the Grade 3 Medley contest with a strong performance and then played up into Grade 2 and achieved another fantastic first place. The Grade 3 band now turn their attentions to the British Championships in Banbridge, Northern Ireland this week, where they hope to build on recent performances and results to bring home more silverware. |
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13th June 2009
Williamwood's Grade Three band fantastic form continued on Saturday with 1st place and 1st in drumming, at Bearsden Highland Games in Hot conditions. The band then played twice in the Grade two contest, placing 3rd in the Medley contest with a 1st place in Ensemble, and 5th in the March, Strathspey and Reel contest. The band now turns its attentions to the "Pipers In the Park" contest in Ayr this Saturday before the trip to Northern Ireland for the British Championships at the end of June. |
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14th June 2009
Glasgow's West End Festival kicked off this weekend and as part of the celebrations, Williamwood Pipe Band performed to the crowds of thousands on Festival Sunday. We played in the Botanic Gardens and outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.
As well as the Festival it's self, we were promoting the "Road to the Worlds 2009" campaign supported by Homecoming Scotland 2009, and the build up to this years World Pipe Band Championships - Saturday, August 15th 2009.
Photos of our performances are online here...
Visit Glasgow's West End Festival website here...
Visit Homecoming Scotland 2009 website here... |
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13th June 2009
Williamwood's Grade Three band fantastic form continued on Saturday with 1st place and 1st in drumming, at Bearsden Highland Games in Hot conditions. The band then played twice in the Grade two contest, placing 3rd in the Medley contest with a 1st place in Ensemble, and 5th in the March, Strathspey and Reel contest. The band now turns its attentions to the "Pipers In the Park" contest in Ayr this Saturday before the trip to Northern Ireland for the British Championships at the end of June. |
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30th May 2009
We Made It! An selection of around 25 band members, successfully scaled Ben Lomond on Sunday to raise much needed funds for the band. An early start on Sunday morning at Rowardenan was the beginning of a trek (with pipes, sides, tenor and bass drum) eventually taking around 3 and a half hours. Everyone then played a couple of sets at the top with quite a crowd gathering. The group took around 3 hours to then pack up and return to the bottom, mostly shattered and at least a little sun burnt.
The glorious weather helped aid the spectacular view from the summit and over Loch Lomond
Check out the photos online now!
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Support Williamwood Pipe Band! - If you like our organization and what we do - support us. Find details about upcoming fundraising events & how to donate to the band without actually donating - confused?
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6th June 2009
Williamwood continued their successful start to the 2009 season by winning 7 trophies at the West of Scotland Branch Championships, in Shotts on Saturday. The Grade 4 band were first to compete in the cold and blustery conditions, and a solid performance saw them take 5th place in the open competition, and 3rd place in the confined championship. This was the Grade 4 bands first trophy of the season, and hopefully a sign of things to come. It was then the turn of the grade 3 band in the testing conditions with their first medley performance of the season. Their performance proved enough to secure 1st place in both the open and confined competitions, and also the confined drumming prize. The Grade 3 band then played up in Grade two, as weather conditioned improved slightly. The performance was strong, and secured them 3rd place in grade two in both the open and confirmed competitions, beating several well established Grade 2 bands. Next up for the band is the Bearsden competition next Saturday followed by a performance by the Grade 3 band at the famous West End Festival in Glasgow, on Sunday.
Photos online now!
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