News
August 31, 2009

L&B Police reportedly make another leadership change

After three seasons as Pipe-Major, the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police have reportedly voted out David Barnes in a band meeting on Monday, August 31st. Barnes’s successor is not known, but a source close to the band has said that Ian Duncan, the former Vale of Atholl and Drambuie-Kirkliston pipe-major, has been asked to take over the band.
 
If true, the change will be the fourth pipe-major for the band since 2000.
 
Under Barnes, Lothian & Borders Police finished in the bottom tier of Grade 1 at RSPBA championships, but at the Cowal Championships on August 29th received a sixth-place from ensemble judge Trevor Dear, finishing ninth overall.
 
Barnes was appointed in 2006 after a lengthy search process in which Duncan had reportedly been a candidate. Barnes came on board after the resignation of Keith Dawes, who led the band since 2004 when Colin MacLellan resigned after five years in charge.
 
“[Lothian & Borders Police] have had roughly one new pipe-major every two years for at least the last 15 years now,” said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. He added that “musical differences” between Barnes and Leading-Drummer Arthur Cook were cited as the primary reason. Cook will reportedly remain leading-drummer.
 
The period following the Cowal Championships is generally seen as a time of often substantial change for pipe bands. Stay tuned to pipes|drums for further details.

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