So, what now? Ottawa Police win both events at Fair Hill; Stuarts finish third overall
Fair Hill, Maryland – May 17, 2014 – After the RSPBA surprisingly upgraded the EUSPBA-member Stuart Highlanders to Grade 1 last week, the spotlight turned to the Colonial Highland Games at Fair Hill where the band would compete against two other Grade 2 bands. The RSPBA might now might be in a quandary after Joe Noble, one of their own judges, gave the Stuart Highlanders a second (Medley drumming) and a third (MSR ensemble) in a three-band contest. The Stuart Highlanders were third aggregate, while the Ottawa Police Services Pipe Band emerged first overall, taking both events, and New York Metro finished second.
Grade 2
Overall
1st Ottawa Police Services
2nd New York Metro
3rd Stuart Highlanders
Medley
1st Ottawa Police (2,1,1,3)
2nd Stuart Highlanders (1,2,3,2)
3rd New York Metro (3,3,2,1)
Judges: Michael Rogers, Adrian Melvin (piping); Jon Quigg (ensemble); Joe Noble (drumming)
MSR
1st Ottawa Police (1,1,2,1)
2nd New York Metro (2,3,1,3)
3rd Stuart Highlanders (3,2,3,2)
Judges: Judges: David Bailiff, Adrian Melvin (piping); Joe Noble (ensemble); Jon Quigg (drumming)
The rspba has egg all over their face on this one. To deny it or argue otherwise is an indication that you 1) aren’t paying attention 2) lack the capacity for logical thought or 3) think the rspba has jurisdiction over the entire planet with the right to wreck bands, alter people’s plans for travel and blindly determine competitive capacity with other world mystical powers. The pattern of abuse is long and documented. Andrew only scratched the surface with his list. Stop justifying ineptitude and start demanding change. It’s your right to speak up. Exercise it!