The petition
Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, one of the world's great bands, with a history dating back over 100 years, is under threat. The Piping Times magazine is leading the campaign to have this iconic institution safeguarded from the cuts that are threatening its future. We are calling on the Chief Constable Mr Stephen House to reverse the policy which will see the band reduced to a third or fourth rate outfit. Only a strong reaction from the piping public and our politicians can get the message across. If we get sufficient numbers of signatories we will present the petition to Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and the leader of the Strathclyde Police Board.
Before you sign this petition please read the words of Editor Robert Wallace as reported in the Herald newspaper 18/2/09: "It's a scandal of outrageous proportions, a false economy from people who clearly know nothing about Scotland and its culture. This is one of the oldest and most successful bands in the world. The band was originally known as the Govan Burgh Police band, then Glasgow Police, and finally Strathclyde. They do a huge amount of public relations for the city and the community. But much of that, I guess, is intangible to bean-counters. They won't know what they have lost until it's gone. Restrictions on police players mean the band will not be able to play at the highest level. Without the ambition to do so, the best musicians will move to competitors. There are five major events on the calendar. I understand the band has been instructed to chose just two... they will very quickly lose their competitive edge. They are a national institution. When the band played at this year's Celtic Connections, they had a record attendance. The World Championships bring 40,000 people here, and £5m into the Scottish economy so the cash argument is a nonsense."
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