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Document Archive

The Bandsman

The SPBA was originally a branch of the "Prairie Pipe Band Association," which covered Saskatchewan, Manitoba and (sometimes) Alberta. Jim McWilliams took on the task of editing and distributing a Newsletter for members and bands, and they were a welcome addition to the scene. Jim's sense of humour was sometimes reflected in Letters to the Editor from the mysterious "Eldon W. Nerfell," who seemed to have some unusual ideas about how things should be done.
The Bandsman -  1971 [pdf]
Editor: Willard Lutz
Six issues

The Bandsman - 1972 [pdf]
Editor: Jim McWilliams
Five issues

The Bandsman - 1973 [pdf]
Editor: Jim McWilliams
Two issues

The Bandsman - 1974 [pdf]
Editor: Jim McWilliams
Two issues

PPBA Newsletter, 1983-84 [pdf]
Editor: Iain MacDonald
Three issues
Now the newsletter reflected the "Saskatchewan Branch" of the PPBA. Provincial funding regulations were changing, and by the early 1990s the Branch would have to become it's own organizartion in SK to maintain provincial lottery funding.
PPBA Newsletter, 1986 [pdf]
Editor: Kelly Lewis
One issue
Bylaws and Other PPBA/SPBA docs
Original 1969 Bylaws
"Pipe Bands Organize" - clipping from Piping Times, 1969
PPBA Games Rules - 1970
PPBA 1974 Annual Call to Convention
PPBA 1974 AGM Committee Meeting Agenda
PPBA 1973-74 Treasurer's Report
PPBA Contest Results
[Not sure what games!]

"Care and Maintenance of the Bagpipes"
This was written by Andy McAnsh for students at the Fort San summer camp in the late 1970s. No mention of synthetic bags, plastic reeds, tuners...

Event Programs & Clippings

Fort San Concert - 1971
Fort San Concert - 1972
Fort San Concert Program - 1982
This was the summer that P-M Donald MacLeod, M.B.E. died and the school did a special presentation in his memory.
Yorkton Highland Games entry - 1985
Fort San Concert - 1987

Sask Championships - 1981  

- Clippings from Yorkton news 1 | 2 | 3

A Legislative Controversy - Neil Sutherland not allowed to play at opening of February 1932 Sask Legislature. Clippings from Regina Leader. Feb 5 | Feb 6 | Feb 8 | Feb 8
Sask Junior Championships - Indoor Contest in Moose Jaw reported in the Piping Times.

LeaderPost clipping about 1977 Saskatchewan Championships

The first championship in modern days was held in 1975 to determine a representative  for the Canadian Pipe Band Championships in Ottawa, and starting in 1976  the event was organized and managed as The Regina Highland Festival by the Wa Wa Shrine Pipes & Drums. The contest used to be held early in September.


That event dropped off, and for many years the Championships were part of the Saskatoon Highland Games on the May Long weekend. Currently, championship points are determined by an aggregate of all sanctioned games during the season.

 Moose Jaw Archive 1 | Moose Jaw Archive 2
These are two groups of clippings taken from the Moose Jaw Times-Herald  by the Robinson family in Moose Jaw and they have lots of results from the MJ Kinsmen Band Festival, and also information about the White Hackle trip to Maxville.
Saskatoon Highland Games entry - 1992
Items from Pipe Bands
Canadian Women's Army Corps article
10th Field Regiment, R.C.A. - trip itinerary
10th Field Regiment, R.C.A. - retreat ceremony
Fraser Pipe Band - various clippings 60s/70s
16/22 Horse Regiment - there are some lovely, handwritten letters from Jock Chalmers and Roderick McMillan describing the history and membership of the band, and also with Jock's observations about piping in Scotland and Canada.
Kindersley Pipe Band History - written by Stuart Kolbinson
Early Regina Pipe Band History, by J.A. MacKay
White Hackle Tour Program - 1977
WaWa Shrine Pipes & Drums - 40th Anniversary Booklet with history, photos, members and anecdotes.