History, Constitution and Objectives
The Argyllshire Gathering Piping
Trust was constituted as
a charitable trust (Scottish Charity # SCO 12513) on 16th
May 1979. The general object declared in the Trust Deed
is ‘to advance the education of the public in the
art of the Highland Bagpipe and of Scottish Dancing and Folk
Music’.
Whilst the Trust Deed allows for the interpretation of the
general object above in diverse ways, it provides for 8 specific
purposes which can be summarised as follows;
For Highland Bagpipers, Scottish Folk Musicians and Dancers
- To award prizes at competitions and Highland Games in
Great Britain
- To promote teaching or learning through prizes, bursaries,
scholarships or exhibitions
- To provide premises, instruments, equipment, amenities
or services connected with teaching or learning
- To assist charitable clubs, societies, associations or
institutions with similar objects
- To promote and finance competitions
and in addition -
- To found or provide a School of Highland Bagpiping in
Oban or elsewhere
- To contribute to charitable Scottish Regimental Funds
for the provision or upkeep of a Regimental Pipe Band
- To take other lawful action for promotion of The Argyllshire
Gathering.
Management
Responsibility for determining and managing the activities
lies with the Stewards of The Argyllshire Gathering and the
Trustees who are together responsible for ensuring financial
integrity and compliance with the terms of the Trust Deed.
The Trustees are:
Hugh Nickerson (Chairman)
Torquhil, Duke of Argyll
Angus Nicol
Bruno Schroder
Ian Tegner CA
The Secretary is Rosemary Young
The Treasurer is Jean Ainsley CA.
Activities during 2007
1. The Piping Trust, under the auspices of the Argyllshire
Gathering, organises each year, as a major part of the Oban
Games, one of the two pre-eminent international Highland
Bagpipe competitions for individual players. In 2007, 108
competitors took part, from 10 countries. The Gold medal
was won by Richard Hawke from New Zealand. The Senior Piobaireachd
competition, open only to previous winners of the Gold Medal
was won by Pipe major Gordon Walker from Scotland. The Silver
medal was won by James Beaumont. The Macgregor Memorial Piobaireachd
competition (organised by the Highland Society of London)
for players under 22 was won by Faye Henderson. The Duke’s
medal for competitors from Argyll under 16 was won by Laura
MacMillan.
The Trust also supports each year the Highland Dancing
competitions at the Oban Games, comprising competitions for
under 12 years, under16 years, and adults. In 2007 some 60
dancers competed. The Challenge Cup for the best overall
dancer was won by Steven Macrae from Washington, and the
William MacLennan Cup for the best local by Adele Askew..
2. In 1996 the Trust entered into an agreement with Argyll
and Bute Council to support the teaching of The Highland
Bagpipe in Argyll primary schools. Since then tuition has
expanded greatly, and during 2007 tuition has been provided
in 47 schools across the county. Of these 19 schools were
directly supported by the Trust at a cost of £12,872.
During the year further sponsors have been identified and
from September 2007 the scheme has been extended to cover
Knapdale and parts of North Argyll. The fruits of this scheme
are now clearly demonstrated in both the development of junior
pipe bands and in the increase in numbers of local juniors
competing at the Oban Games.
3. Through the Fund set up in memory of the late Ian, Duke
of Argyll, the Trust provides discretionary bursaries for
promising young Argyll pipers. This fund is invested to provide
a stream of income from which annual grants are made as a
contribution towards tuition, equipment and travel.
Funding in 2007
The activities of the Trust are funded from Charitable donations
from the Gathering and its membership, from entrance fees
for competitions, and from sponsorship. The Trustees are
deeply grateful to the following who, amongst many others,
have provided generous support during the last year:
Schroder Charitable Trust
The P.F. Charitable Trust (Fleming)
The Highland Society of London
Angus Nicol
Wm Grant & Son Ltd
The Mactaggart Trust
The Piobairachd Society
Hugh Nickerson
Chairman of the Trustees
01747 861617
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