The Strathclyde Police Pipe Band is folding. This is quite a hit to the pipe band world, even more so than when the Victoria Police Pipe Band was deactivated a few years ago. The Strathclyde Police is essentially the state police for the area in Scotland that includes Glasgow, where the band is headquartered. I have always been a big fan of this band, and I actually visited their practice room at the main HQ in Glasgow back in 2003 when I was at the World Pipe Band Championships that year. I hoisted a few pints with them after their win that year at the Station Pub, which is right around the corner from the main HQ and where I used to stay at Caledonian University. I actually have a Charleston Police patch up on the wall there, where generations of Strathclyde Police pipers have celebrated their many World Championships.
Needless to say, this is the result of apathetic chief constables and the current economy probably doesn't help. Pipes|Drums had a few asinine quotes from the Strathclyde leadership, my favorite one was from Anne McGuire, the commander of the division that includes the band:
"Well, once you have learned your songs, why do you need to practice?"
I think a public flogging might be in order. Once this news sinks in in Glasgow, there might well be. If I had a nickel for every time I heard that question from a police commander in Charleston I would have retired years ago. It provides a peek into why pipe bands suffer and die at the hands of non-pipers. Lack of understanding.
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