The archives of The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario have again been tapped. As you know, we have digitized scores of hours of the PPBSO’s VHS video from the 1980s and 1990s. Here is the latest offering, this from the well-attended games at Barrie, Ontario on Saturday, July 25, 1987. The venue was the then-famous concert location, Molson Park (now an industrial area). For those from outside of Ontario and may not know, Barrie is a city located about an hour’s drive north of Toronto and is generally considered the gateway to “cottage country”, the summer playground of southern suburban city-dwellers.
The day was a hot one, around 31 degrees Celsius. Judges visible in this video are Willie Connell, Ed Neigh and, guest judge, the famous, Ronnie Lawrie, Oban, Scotland.
It is noteworthy that the grade two medley contest featured a number of bands not starting their performances with “three-pace drum rolls to the bagpipe note ‘E'”.
Details of the playing order along with activity (and tunes) on the day can be found with the youtube video. We have a number of gaps in identifying bands. All help is appreciated in ensuring bands are recognized. Please drop a line if you recognize a band not duly noted.
A good taste of the games at Barrie, Ontario from July 25, 1987
We hope you enjoy this look and listen back. Much more to come from the History & Archives committee of the PPBSO!