The Trophies of the Annual Gathering
One of the finest traditions of the AGs has been the presentation of a series of trophies. At the 2nd AG, on Nov. 18, 1933, was first presented the MacCrimmon Memorial Cairn for Open Piobaireachd. In the August, 1960 issue of the Newsletter, Rod MacLeod told the story of the birth of the Cairn, the brainchild of Ed Esson, on the boat back from Bowen Island, following a Gaelic Society meeting. It was decided to produce a replica of the Cairn located at Borreraig, Skye. Since it was going to cost $250.00 and the Treasury contained only $25.00, Esson and MacLeod scrounged the remaining $225.00, and commissioned O.B. Allan jewelers, to make the trophy.
The MacCrimmon Cairn is the most coveted of our prizes and it has been won thirteen times by Jack Lee, a remarkable feat. Other multiple winners are Bill Urquhart, Bruce Gandy (7), Alan Bevan, Andrew Bonar, James P Troy (4), Hugh Aird, Ed Esson, Norma Nicholson, James Watt (3). The first winner of the Cairn was Alex Johnson, a leading competitor during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Norma Nicholson was the first woman to win the Cairn and captured it for three consecutive years, a tremendous achievement only equaled by three other winners in the history of the Cairn.
The Cabar Feidh Trophy, donated by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, has been presented to the winner of the Amateur Piobaireachd since 1933, as well.
Another magnificent trophy is the MacIver Memorial Trophy, first presented in 1945. It honours Donald MacIver, a well-loved teacher and all round expert, who dominated the scene from 1909 until his death in 1943. In the form of an obelisk, this award is presented to the person who attains the most points at the AG, whether Amateur or Open. Its first winners were William Rarrie and Margaret, who won it jointly.
Trophies are, from time to time, retired. Classes are changed and sometimes the trophies are no longer appropriate. For many years the Alex Lobban Trophy was the Aggregate for Junior Piping. In 1969 it was retired and present to Mr. and Mrs. Michael MacInnes, whose five children: Duncan, Donald, Rae Mare, Therese and Heather had each won it. Such a record will probably never be matched.
Another family affair had been the Nicholson Quartette, consisting of Malcolm Nicholson, and his daughters Jessier Kathleen and Norma. They used to enter the local competitions as a Quartette, in 1950 coming second at the AG.
Some of the People of the AG
A record for longevity at the competitions must be held by James Watt. He first appeared in the prize list with a first and a second in the Under 16 Class at the 3rd AG, held on Nov. 24, 1934. Since that time his name has appeared on virtually every trophy for solo piping. To this day, still blowing a strong pipe, Watt attends all of the competitions, assisting and encouraging his many pupils.
A legend at BCPA competitions was Malcolm Nicholson, who taught more pipers than most of us know. A Pipe Major of the Vancouver City Police Band for many years, Nicholson formed several hands, especially for young players. At the competitions he was always at the head of a long line of pupils, waiting to be tuned. In recognition of his huge contribution in 1978 Malcolm Nicholson was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada, a well deserved honour.
Some of the Judges of the Annual Gathering
The visits by prominent pipers from throughout the piping world to judge at our AG’s has continued until this date and has undoubtedly played a big role in putting B.C. and Vancouver on the world piping map, as well as significantly stimulating the standard of piping and increasing the interest in our instrument In the early years we were favoured with visits by Seumas MacNeil, John MacLellan, Donald MacLean of Lewis, Donald MacLeod, Donald Shaw Ramsay and John Wilson. In recent years the association has invited Alasdair Gillies, Bill Livingstone, Roddy MacLeod, and Angus MacColl. The list is very long indeed.
A regular and most popular feature of the guest judges’ attendance in Vancouver has been a recital by them, held near the time of the AG. This has given the membership the opportunity to hear their excellence
A collection of tapes of these recitals was started in 1956, and is presently maintained by Bill Elder
Venues of the Annual Gathering
One of the most important decisions facing the organizer of AG has been the matter of venue. As a peripatetic association without its own premises, rented quarters are necessary As the meets expanded from a one day affair with a single stage to a two day event requiring numerous competition areas, the choice has been more perplexing An ever present bugbear has been the shortage of tuning areas, and’ with the emergence of drumming events, this problem has become more critical.
From 1932 to 1942 the Elks Hall was used There after a variety of halls were rented, including the Moose Hall, the Seamen’s Hall and the Electrical workers Hall. In 1951 the Seaforth Armoury became home to our AG and continued as such until 1965. Then the Assn. used the Gardens, at Exhibition Park, The North Vancouver Recreation Centre in the 1970’s Simon Fraser University, and in recent years numbers high Schools in the Greater Vancouver area.
The Piobaireachd competitions, held on the Friday prior to the main competition, are often held at the Scottish Auditorium on Hudson Street.
Annual Gathering, the Events
A profound expansion of events at the AG has taken place over the years. At the 1st competition, there were 10 events, all solo piping. It is illuminating to- examine the breakdown of events over the decades.
| Year | Solo Piping | Piping ensembles | Miniature bands or full bands | Solo Drumming | Highland Dancing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 10 | 10 | ||||
| 1940 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | |
| 1950 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 16 | ||
| 1960 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 | |
| 1970 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 18 | ||
| 1980 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 18 | ||
| 1990 | 17 | 4 | 5 | 26 | ||
| 2000 | 24 | 4 | 14 | 42 | ||
| 2010 | 19 | 6 | 14 | 39 | ||
The Mini-Gatherings
In the mid 1950’s the BCPA began holding Bi-Monthly competitions, enabling Amateur players to play their tunes in a relaxed setting. Initially these events were held in the old Scottish Auditorium, and subsequently they moved to various schools. By 1975 they had considerably expanded and became Mini-Gatherings. These competitions have proved invaluable to young pipers and drummers, and have as well given more experienced and mature players the opportunity to judge.