Army Cuts

Neil Clark · 05-01-2012, 12:27 AM

This didn't get much coverage in our papers, strange why not. But our latest round of Defence Cuts, which should be announced in June, will propose do disband;

5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Now, the Argylls have been under threat of disbanding for about 40 years, however, Stirlingshire will be up in arms.

But, piping wise (PLEASE don't think I'm dismissing the Argylls), the other regiment probably disbanding will be the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Now, I'm Scots Guards, but have to acknoledge that the DGs band has consistently been one of the best, and frequently the best bands in the army.
They are for sure the most famous, and the regiment has always REALLY looked after their pipers.
I think this will be a hammer blow for army piping.
And in terms of seniority, if there's another cut in the infantry, the Highlanders are next....

aboode · 05-01-2012, 01:40 AM

The list is not complete with just the Argylls and the Scots Dragoon Guards, add to this the loss of 40 Regt Royal Artillery and the closure of RAF Kinloss and there is a potential loss of 4 pipe bands in the military!!!!!

Roddy Livingstone · 05-01-2012, 09:47 AM

Might explain why when I phoned Howe Barracks the other day to speak with the Argyll's Pipe-Major I was told the whole regiment was on leave! A sad blow. How many army bands have been lost in the last twenty years? Guards going from two battalions to one (and the loss of the Piping School/Depot at Pirbright), were there not also depot bands at Bridge of Don and Milton Bridge in this time or is that from an earlier period?

Airborne92 · 05-01-2012, 02:58 PM

Looks like you guys need to move that independence vote towards the left on the calendar!

SCK

Rob MacDonald · 05-01-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne92

Looks like you guys need to move that independence vote towards the left on the calendar!

SCK

What the smeg difference would THAT make?

Klondike Waldo · 05-01-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne92

Looks like you guys need to move that independence vote towards the left on the calendar!

SCK

My guess would be that as a smaller independent nation, Scotland would be even less able to maintain the numbers of military personnel thah is currently maintained under the UK. Just a guess, thiugh and I do not have a horse in the race.

Pip01 · 05-01-2012, 07:53 PM

Sigh....

Well...while attempting to stay within the guidelines of
being "piping related" ... and also trying (and rather
desperately) to not fall in to incivility... my thoughts upon
the matter are these...

It will be a blow... as others have fallen... upon the people
and the music... And... how not?

And... whether on the eastern or the western side of The
Great Pond... those politically appointed "administrators"
in either the MoD or the DoD might better serve the People,
the Services and the Nations.... were they appointed to a
music-less spot.... at the bottom of some deep, dark well....
bereft of any culture... or company... save their own...

And when they cried out for recognition... and release... we
could simply say: "Sorry, fellows; we just can't seem to find
the money... for the rope and bucket... with which to pull you up!
You seem to have overspent! And so... you're stuck! Sorry... "

Gadzooks!! Where do we get them!? (Can we send them back? :)

Heaven Save Us!!... from political "administrators"!!

Pip01

Adam Sanderson · 05-02-2012, 01:35 AM

Guys, keep this thread on the piping track, please.

Roddy, there was a Depot band at the Brig' O' Don, I can testify to that most wholeheartedly, but I think that went round about the time that the Gordons got merged with the Queen's Own Highlanders. I could ask my younger brother as he was there at the time.

As Neil says, the A&S have been under the threat of disbanding for a long time. It would be a great shame if the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were to face the same threat. They have done so much for piping, not only have they sold by the bucketload, they achieved something unique by
winning Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits, beating of the likes of Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli. All the more remarkable when you consider it was recorded in Basra, Iraq, during an active duty tour.

There's been a shortage of "at home" pipers for a while in the British army, it's no real secret that some recent events have been filled out with pipers who are either "Association" pipers or even civilian volunteers.

Pipin' Paramedic · 05-02-2012, 05:53 PM

From what I read (and I am purely a spectator), it seems that the RSDG have acquitted themselves very well as an armoured cavalry unit, never mind the musical achievements.

Does anyone have knowledge of either the long-term military plans of the UK, or the long term plans of the Army for Army music?

John MacDonald · 05-02-2012, 06:21 PM

Skip

Basically make do with less ..

05-01-2012, 12:27 AM	#1
Neil Clark Forum Clasp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drumnadrochit, scotland Posts: 754	Army Cuts This didn't get much coverage in our papers, strange why not. But our latest round of Defence Cuts, which should be announced in June, will propose do disband; 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Now, the Argylls have been under threat of disbanding for about 40 years, however, Stirlingshire will be up in arms. But, piping wise (PLEASE don't think I'm dismissing the Argylls), the other regiment probably disbanding will be the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Now, I'm Scots Guards, but have to acknoledge that the DGs band has consistently been one of the best, and frequently the best bands in the army. They are for sure the most famous, and the regiment has always REALLY looked after their pipers. I think this will be a hammer blow for army piping. And in terms of seniority, if there's another cut in the infantry, the Highlanders are next.... __________________ http://www.greatglenpiping.com/

05-01-2012, 01:40 AM	#2
aboode Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Livingston, Scotland Posts: 169	Re: Army Cuts The list is not complete with just the Argylls and the Scots Dragoon Guards, add to this the loss of 40 Regt Royal Artillery and the closure of RAF Kinloss and there is a potential loss of 4 pipe bands in the military!!!!!

05-01-2012, 09:47 AM	#3
Roddy Livingstone Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 272	Re: Army Cuts Might explain why when I phoned Howe Barracks the other day to speak with the Argyll's Pipe-Major I was told the whole regiment was on leave! A sad blow. How many army bands have been lost in the last twenty years? Guards going from two battalions to one (and the loss of the Piping School/Depot at Pirbright), were there not also depot bands at Bridge of Don and Milton Bridge in this time or is that from an earlier period?

05-01-2012, 02:58 PM	#4
Airborne92 Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 1,087	Re: Army Cuts Looks like you guys need to move that independence vote towards the left on the calendar! SCK __________________ Old Soldiers never die, we just smell that way.

05-01-2012, 07:53 PM	#7
Pip01 Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North America Posts: 1,294	Re: Army Cuts Sigh.... Well...while attempting to stay within the guidelines of being "piping related" ... and also trying (and rather desperately) to not fall in to incivility... my thoughts upon the matter are these... It will be a blow... as others have fallen... upon the people and the music... And... how not? And... whether on the eastern or the western side of The Great Pond... those politically appointed "administrators" in either the MoD or the DoD might better serve the People, the Services and the Nations.... were they appointed to a music-less spot.... at the bottom of some deep, dark well.... bereft of any culture... or company... save their own... And when they cried out for recognition... and release... we could simply say: "Sorry, fellows; we just can't seem to find the money... for the rope and bucket... with which to pull you up! You seem to have overspent! And so... you're stuck! Sorry... " Gadzooks!! Where do we get them!? (Can we send them back? :) Heaven Save Us!!... from political "administrators"!! Pip01 __________________ My friends all know, With what a brave carouse...

05-02-2012, 01:35 AM	#8
Adam Sanderson Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland Posts: 6,612	Re: Army Cuts Guys, keep this thread on the piping track, please. Roddy, there was a Depot band at the Brig' O' Don, I can testify to that most wholeheartedly, but I think that went round about the time that the Gordons got merged with the Queen's Own Highlanders. I could ask my younger brother as he was there at the time. As Neil says, the A&S have been under the threat of disbanding for a long time. It would be a great shame if the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were to face the same threat. They have done so much for piping, not only have they sold by the bucketload, they achieved something unique by winning Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits, beating of the likes of Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli. All the more remarkable when you consider it was recorded in Basra, Iraq, during an active duty tour. There's been a shortage of "at home" pipers for a while in the British army, it's no real secret that some recent events have been filled out with pipers who are either "Association" pipers or even civilian volunteers. __________________ Milngavie Pipe Band Scottish Pipers Association

05-02-2012, 05:53 PM	#9
Pipin' Paramedic Forum Silver Medal Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC USA Posts: 455	Re: Army Cuts From what I read (and I am purely a spectator), it seems that the RSDG have acquitted themselves very well as an armoured cavalry unit, never mind the musical achievements. Does anyone have knowledge of either the long-term military plans of the UK, or the long term plans of the Army for Army music? __________________ Skip "Onoir Do Na Marbh"

05-02-2012, 06:21 PM	#10
John MacDonald Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HAMPSHIRE - ENGLAND-UK Posts: 1,760	Re: Army Cuts Skip Basically make do with less .. __________________ J.A.B.MACDONALD