(Held at the Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming, Inchdrewer House, 3rd November 2024 1100 hours)
In attendance (at venue): Bruce Hitchings (Chair), Bill Wotherspoon, Peter Hunt, Ronnie McShannon, Euan Anderson, Lewis Barclay, Tom Johnstone, Alan Forbes, Patricia Henderson, Murray Henderson, Logan Tannock, Derek Fraser, Kenny Macleod, Roddy Livingstone (secretary)
Attending via Zoom: Hugh Jamieson, Roger Huth, Jim McGillivray, Jack Taylor, Ian Duncan, Andrew Berthoff
Apologies for absence: Robert Barnes, Jimmy Banks, Michael Grey, Michael Cusack, Angus MacDonald, Richard Parkes, Patrick Grant, Moira Robertson, John Don MacKenzie, Barry Donaldson, John Wilson, Bob Worrall, Archie MacLean
- Apologies for Absence
See above. - Minutes of 2023 AGM
The chairman briefly summarised the minutes of the 2023 meeting (these having been circulated in advance of the meeting) highlighting a further successful period for the Solo Piping Judges Association with considerable progress against objectives achieved in the last year.
The minutes were proposed by Logan Tannock and seconded by Murray Hendersonand accepted by the meeting as an accurate record of the 2023 Annual General Meeting. - Matters Arising
None - Chairman’s Report
A report prepared by the Chairman, Bruce Hitchings, had been circulated in advance of the meeting. Bruce briefly summarised the important points including:
- The Association’s new website (with thanks to Colin MacLellan for his years of administration of the previous version)
- Three significant proposals to be discussed and voted upon at the meeting – the incorporation of the Supplementary List of Judges under the SPJA umbrella; revisions to processes for admission and status of judges; and revisions to the Code of Conduct
[All proposals previously circulated to the membership in advance of the meeting].
- Treasurer’s Report
Once again, a summary of the financial situation of the association had been circulated in advance of the meeting. Treasurer Euan Anderson summarised the current healthy financial position and noted that in future, the costs of running the Association will approximately equate to annual income through the cost of delivering seminars.
He also informed the membership the committee had agreed a donation of £500 from accrued funds to the National Piping Centre’s Charity Fundraising event to support grass roots piping initiatives.
Euan also informed the meeting that a forward look would be taken in respect of future web-hosting costs.
Murray Henderson asked for clarification of the status of members who had not paid their annual subscription. Euan responded that two members [Allan MacDonald & Roderick MacDonald] had failed to pay their subs despite various attempts to contact them using a variety of channels and the secretary confirmed they have been removed from the list.
The Treasurer’s report was proposed by Lewis Barclay and seconded by Ronnie McShannon. - Election of Officers
The chair was temporarily assumed by Alan Forbes to oversee the election of officers and committee members as required by the Association’s constitution.
The Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer (all subject to annual re-election) had all indicated in advance of the meeting their willingness to serve a further term. No other nominations have been received. Bruce Hitchings, Roddy Livingstone and Euan Anderson were re-elected unanimously.
Alan noted that one of the other committee members (Derek Fraser) is due to retire by rotation on this occasion. No other nominations for this position have been received and Derek was duly re-elected by acclamation.
The Association records it’s thanks to Alan for undertaking this important role with, efficiency, professionalism and impartiality. - Review of 2024 Solo Piping Season
This was an ‘open’ session for members to note any particular successes or learning from the 2024 season which prompted positive discussion and wide engagement. It was generally considered that 2024 had, once again, been a very successful year. Items raised for potential consideration and/or raising at the JCSPC Meeting on 1st December included:
- Blair Atholl Games (Jack Taylor) – ungraded light music events continue although this year more heats had been run and these are informally seeded using CPA gradings. Murray Henderson noted the healthy large entry in junior events and the impact this is potentially a large commitment for adjudicators. Murray also mentioned shelters for judges were rather small. [Jack Taylor noted these comments as convenor for the event and will consider any actions required for 2025]
- The Gillies Cup, London (Roddy Livingstone) – following concerns over manageability of numbers in 2023, it is believed that further restrictions of eligibility are to be applied to the 2024 event taking place on 16th November. SPJA will monitor.
- Senior Piobaireachd Events at Oban & Inverness (Bruce Hitchings) – following concerns raised last year, this now appears to be working well with manageable numbers.
- Oban Games (Bruce Hitchings) – a big improvement was noted this year over 2023 with professional light music events having been restored to the main field and better hospitality arrangements for judges.
- Northern Meeting Premier H&J Competition (Logan Tannock) – late start and numerous withdrawals from the event and pipers playing ‘out of scheduled order’ was noted. As this event is particularly popular with audiences, this is of concern regarding public perception. [Derek Fraser assured the meeting that the NM Committee is seeking improvements for 2025].
- New /Inexperienced convenors / games secretaries (Euan Anderson) – noted that a number of competitions had new convenors or secretaries and this lack of experience was apparent and asked if there was more the Association could do to support them. Bruce Hitchings responded that in the past reliance had been placed on the CPA to communicate needs / expectations with competition organisers but moving forward the SPJA will be more proactive in this area, working alongside the CPA.
- Captain John MacLellan Competition (Lewis Barclay) – noted that maximum numbers of competitors had been achieved within hours of entries opening but despite several withdrawals, it did not appear tat reserve lists had been fully utilised. [To raise with the ASBM&HD].
- Critique Sheets (Euan Anderson) – concern raised over the numbers of critique sheets which are not collected by competitors after judges have expended considerable time and effort completing these. [To raise at JCSPC – do CPA require judges to continue with this task? If so is there capacity for competition organisers to ensure that uncollected sheets are sent to competitors?].
- Proposals for change
- Incorporation of Supplementary Judges to SPJA
This proposal had previously been circulated in writing to all SPJA members. Bruce Hitchings gave a comprehensive background to this proposal including details of committee discussions and liaison with the Competing Pipers Association. He re-iterated that Supplementary Judges would be ‘associate members’ of the SPJA and would not hold voting rights, would not impact of the position of Approved Judges, and that when a Supplementary Judge retires from competing, they will be subject to the admission processes set by the Association (i.e. no automatic right to segue straight into the SPJA register of Judges. Murray Henderson stated that he felt this was a very positive step. Following a short discussion, the required amendment to the SPJA Constitution was proposed by Murray Henderson and seconded by Alan Forbes. The amendment was supported unanimously by all present (in person and via Zoom). - Application Processes for joining the SPJA List & upgrade to ‘Senior’ Judge
The proposal had previously been notified in writing to all SPJA Members. Bruce Hitchings again gave detailed background of the reasoning and committee discussions leading to this proposal. Currently over half the judges on the register hold ‘senior’ status and this is deemed unnecessary to meet the needs of piping and competitions. It is also necessary to consider the expectations of a Senior Judge – not only in adjudication duties, but also willingness to mentor others and generally act as leaders in the piping community. Historically there has been an expectation (although not necessarily by the applicants themselves) that successful Premier Pipers will immediately join the list as Senior Judges. It is recognised that adjudicators may require a period of experience / learning wider skills before being considered for Senior status which is supported by several current Premier competitors. A subsequent discussion clarified several of the points raised in the proposal, including the revised process and the role / tenure of service of the sub-committee handling applications. The required amendment to the Constitution was formally proposed by Derek Fraser and seconded by Peter Hunt. The amendment was supported unanimously by all present (in person and via Zoom). - Changes to Code of Conduct
Once again, this proposal has previously been circulated in writing to all SPJA members. Bruce Hitchings provided details of discussions with the CPA and within the SPJA Committee which had led to the tabling of this proposal to ensure “fairness for piping” ensuring this is not compromised by any bias (real or perceived) through teachers judging pupils and non-accountability of adjudicators. Detailed discussions regarding the minutiae of the proposal ensued resulting in minor amendments to the proposal [final version reflected on website]. The amendments to the Code of Conduct were proposed by Ronnie McShannon and seconded by Logan Tannock. The proposed amendment was voted upon with all members present (with the exception of one abstention) supporting the change.
- Incorporation of Supplementary Judges to SPJA
- Changes to the Judges List
The Chair noted the retirement from judging of Ian McLellan, Andrew Frater, Ronald Clark, Walter Cowan and Anne Johnstone, thanking them all for their years of service to the Association, judging and the piping community. He also noted the resignation of Colin MacLellan who has decided to make a return to competing.
Due to the moratorium placed on admitting new judges / upgrades to senior status during the period I which these processes have been under review, there are no further admissions / upgrades to report during the year. However, it is noted that there is a healthy pipeline of well qualified individuals who have indicated their intention to apply to join the judges register imminently. - Joint Committee for Solo Piping Competitions
The Secretary reminded members that the JCSPC is a forum for competition organisers, competitors and judges to discuss matters of common interest, meeting annually (this year on Sunday 1st December) and any matters which may be appropriate to raise through this forum (in addition to those recorded at 7 above) to be notified to him ASAP. - Any Other Competent Business
None raised.
The meeting closed at 1322 hours.
Roddy Livingstone
Honorary Secretary
The Solo Piping Judges Association