One of the strangest days ever spent at Glasgow Green occurred August 15th past.The weather treated us to a little taste of just about everything Mother Nature has to offer not withstanding snow.

A cold, grey day met us as we headed to the Green at an ungodly hour to prepare for the qualifier that lie ahead. Hard, steady rain seemed to be the order of the day. The rest as they say is history, we didn’t have a good run in the qualifier and the results rightfully placed us out side of the bands making it through to the final. An event that incidentally took place under a bright sunny sky.

Disappointed? Certainly a little; however for the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, 2009 won’t be defined by this one day in Scotland. Beginning back in October of 2008 the future of the band began to change with the appointment of John Cairns as Pipe Major.

Together with the rest of the leadership team John set about to implement a 5 year time line that would see the band move from being affectionately known as Ontario’s 3rd place grade 1 band to being a contender, and down the road a winner both at home and abroad.

Well ahead of schedule, the band faired well on the contest circuit and routinely placed above the provinces other two grade 1 bands (Toronto Police and 78th Fraser Highlanders) in various categories and even pulled off a much deserved win in the medley contest at the North American Championships in Maxville. A rekindled hunger

coupled with a new work ethic, the PRPPB looks forward to the continued growth and success that will ultimately lead to the top prizes that every band strives for.   

We were also thrilled to have reacquainted ourselves with our benefactor and name sake, the Peel Regional Police Service. Members of the band have been present at graduations, awards ceremonies, police week displays and the Ontario Police Memorial parade and ceremony at Queens Park. We are honored to be associated with this great police service and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Congratulations go to Josh MacFarlane who won the “Clasp” Amateur Piping Contest while in Glasgow – well done!

Accolades also go out to two band members who had great solo seasons here in Ontario.

Elizabeth Sheridan consistently cleaned up in grade 1 piping and our lead drummer Graham Brown who also dominated the professional solo drumming events. Both are widely expected to be the PPBSO Champion Supreme winners in their respective categories.

To our friends and families, thank you for your continued support! Stayed tuned for a bigger and better year in 2010.  

The band will hold its annual general meeting on Sunday September 20th at 11:00am at the Peel Regional Police (Emil Kolb Centre) on Derry Road, Brampton.

As we near the end of our 2009 season, the band is preparing for a trip to Ottawa where we will honor those Police and Peace Officers who have given their lives serving the people of Canada. The 2009 Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held on Sunday September 27th on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. If you are interested in attending, further details can be found at  http://www.cpa-acp.ca/memorial/next_e.asp .