Pipers bag Glasgow Airport funding for new equipment
Pipers of all ages from across Renfrewshire are set to benefit from money for new equipment through the Glasgow Airport FlightPath Fund.
Johnstone Pipe Band’s ‘learner’ class now has 30 members, following a successful recruitment drive. The band itself has 36 members, and 20 of these are under 18.
An award of £1,000 from the FlightPath Fund will fund the purchase of new chanters, drum skins, snares and beaters which will help to ensure that the learners are able to progress to playing bandsmen.
Johnstone Pipe Band is run by volunteers and performs at local, national and international events and competitions. The members also work with schools in the town introducing pupils to pipe music, and explaining the disciplines and life skills that can be learned, and the official qualifications that can be achieved by joining up.
Alan McGeoch, secretary of Johnstone Pipe Band, said: “This new equipment will provide a massive boost to both the learner classes and the band. I am also hopeful it will also enable us to attract new members and learners by showing that as well as providing excellent tuition, we have high standards when it comes to equipment.”
Glasgow Airport’s operations director Campbell Mackinnon added: “Johnstone Pipe Band does great work in the community by encouraging people, particularly young people, to learn and perform a style of traditional Scottish music.
“This award from the FlightPath Fund will enable the band to continue its work at a local level, while also representing Johnstone and Renfrewshire at national and international events and competitions.”
Find out more about Glasgow Airport and the Flight Path Fund here.