Canning leaves Dysart & Dundonald; search on for P-M
After three seasons following the resurrection of the once-dormant Grade 1 Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band of Fife, Scotland, Greig Canning has resigned as pipe-major. The moves come a day after the close of the 2013 World Pipe Band Championships and before the final RSPBA major of the year, the Cowal Pipe Band Championships, in which the band will not compete.
Canning took over Dysart & Dundonald in 2010 when the band mainly existed in name only. He set to recruiting players and a sponsorship with Kilts & More, and bringing the group to Grade 1 standard, which it maintained, although consistently in the bottom half of the results.
According to band spokesman Colin McKean, the resignation is amicable. “No one is under any illusions or doubt about the effort and experience Greig put into role or the massive challenges involved in managing a band like Dysart in the top grade. While it is sad to see him go, I’m very glad both he and the players were able to shake hands with respect and no animosity.”
For his part, Canning added, “I thank the players who have passed through the ranks in the past three years for helping to rebuild the band and solidify its position back in Grade 1. Special thanks to my Pipe-Sergeant Bernard Adam for three years of tireless work and dedication.”
Canning’s successor is unknown, and the band has indicated that it will embark on a search.
“There will be further meetings in the next week or so to discuss how the band will move forward,” McKean said.
Canning, a successful solo piper with many awards to his credit, said that his immediate plans are “to concentrate on the next few weeks at Oban and Inverness before thinking too much about pipe bands.”
Before Canning took over Dysart & Dundonald in the fall of 2010, the band had not competed since 2007. Dysart is one of only a relative few to have won a World Pipe Band Championship, taking the prize in 1977 and 1978.
Well done to Greig Canning for bringing back this historic band, which might never have resurfaced again but for his efforts. Dysart’s piping in the Medley at North Berwick was a significant improvement on their debut competitive performance under Canning at the Lomond & Clyde Invitational two years ago. All the best to him, and I hope Dysart will continue their comeback. It’s great to know that top-flight bands like Dysart and Bleary can still come back after a few seasons away from competition, however hard it is. Stuart Milne
Cherry ripe and primed for a big name signing like that of Ryan Canning’s to Shotts……..it just needs someone who’s prepared to do the hard yards and step away from the excitement of being in the prizes all the time. Well done to Greig for getting the band back on it’s feet and now into a position where it is ready to take the next step.