April 1st, 2011-
The Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band is preparing for an exciting year of competition. With the Annual Gathering nearing, the band is hoping to have a strong start to the 2011 competition season! We would like to thank everyone for their patience with our website as it has not been updated very often due to new website management. Over the next few months, you will begin to see more and more changes to the website to allow for more growth in our band. Thanks and keep checking back for more updates!
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Sep 19th, 2010 -
A very early start as we got ready for the big opening ceremony. Weather was just perfect as we met up with all the other countries involved. Many great photos were taken. The band performed and was greeted with great cheers from the spectators and officials. We were selected by the Premier of China and the Mayor of Beijing to be one of the 4 groups that were "perfect". However, our band was chosen to be the best of the four. We were all very happy with our performance. The event was broadcast live to millions across Asia.
Later on in the afternoon we went to a silk factory and visited the Temple of Heaven. We finished off the day with some shopping and dinner.
We have seen and done a lot in the last 3 days and will be scaling down our program to allow band members to have more free time for the balance of the tip.
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Sep 18th, 2010 -
We left the hotel at 9 am with a slight drizzle but when we got to the Great Wall, the weather had improved to the point where it was getting hot. The group got together to have a quick performance at the wall. We found a great location just outside the main gates and had lots of photos ops. and a video of the performance was recorded. We played one tune with the highland dancers and wanted to play one more but our tour guide had just received a phone call from the organizers that we have to stop playing immediately.
We headed back to the bus and started to change into our street clothes when we noticed a bunch of folks screaming at each other. They said we have to pay them for our performance, but our tour guide Jerry got it all settled. We all had a great time climbing the wall, one side was straight up, (for the younger ones) while the others climbed the shorter side, however, it was still pretty tough because the stairs are different in heights.
So we did get to play at the Great Wall just before the security guards came. From there we went to the Jade factory where a lot of Christmas gifts were bought.
Then off to see the tomb of an emperor, then finished off the day with another great dinner. No complaints about eating Chinese food.
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Sep 17th, 2010 -
We arrived safely at the Beijing airport but very late on Thursday night due to an issue with the plane at Vancouver. In the end, everything worked out for us. Free drinks for the entire flight for everyone due to the 5 hour delay....
Our program from day 1:
- Went to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Ancient City ( rickshaw ride) - all very interesting as we have a great Tour Guide, Jerry. We then visited the Chinese Tea house where most of us bought all kinds of wonderful tea.
- We then saw the Chinese acrobatic show - great show
- The rehearsal scheduled for tonight from 11pm to 1 am in the morning was cancelled due to the weather - good thing as we are all very tired from the 2 long days
- The food is just great but the weather has been drizzly all day
- The band members have been wonderful and are all enjoying the trip
So today's tour was great but we need time to catch up on our sleep. Tomorrow (Sat) will be an easier day for us. We will be going to the Great Wall, Ming Tombs and the Jade factory. We will be playing a tune at the wall, before the guards can come and shut us down !
We will be performing at the Olympic Center on Sunday.
So all in all, this trip has been just great so far and everyone is enjoying very minute of it... Will write again soon
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Aug 19th, 2010
Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band
Press Release
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band (GCPB), www.greighlancrossing.com from Vancouver BC, has been invited by the Government of Beijing Municipality and the China National Tourism Administration to perform at the 12th Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival. The Band will be leaving on September 15th for the 8 day tour with 31 people including highland dancers.
Pipe Major Graham Davidson says the Band is very excited about the trip. "I have competed for 40 plus years and have been to the World Pipe Band Championship many times but going on this trip is something that is definitely out of the norm, it has all happened so fast." Not all of the Band members could attend, however GCPB have been able to fill the ranks with members from Dowco Triumph Street and the White Spot Pipe Band organizations, including two of Graham’s sons, Maclain and Trevor.
During the tour, the band will be doing a parade and 2 stage performances at the Olympic Park. The tour will include visits to the Great Wall where the Band will also be performing, the Forbidden City, Ming Dynasty Tomb, Tiananmen Square are only a few of the highlights. The Band has agreed to perform at the Miss Chinese Lady Beauty Pageant at the Hot Spring Leisure City, a grand luxury resort, north of Beijing city.
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Apr 5th, 2010 - Massive photo influx! Finally, we've managed to update our lacking photo gallery with some content. There are additions to all years from 2006 onwards, check out the photo gallery.
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Apr 3rd, 2010 - The BC Indoor was a fairly good show. The pipes pulled out a split (1st and 2nd place ordinals) and the drum corps managed to debut 3 new faces. Check out the video on the media page.
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Mar 28th, 2010 - Congratulations to the successfully elected Directors of the District 50/50 Society. A productive AGM was held at Douglas College, focus will be turned to fundraising and other revenue streams in lieu of government funding.
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Jan 16th, 2010 - Another successful Robbie Burns Dinner with the White Spot Pipe Band. The evening's entertainment was a hit again - Owen's stellar performance capped the night. Dinner seemed to be prepared even faster and was fabulous - look out for the horseradish!! Thanks to everyone who pitched in to help out.
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Nov 14th, 2009 - BCPA has another round of Greighlan Crossing influence. Graham Davidson was again voted in as president and several members are Directors: Len Leroux, Iain Mack & Bill Meston. Moira Mack still serves as the Competition Secretary. Thank you all for your hard work!
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Jul 11th, 2009 - The Pipe Corps pulled out a 1st place ordinal against a tough field in Mt. Vernon. The band pulled out a 3rd place finish overall - great work.
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Jun 27th, 2009 - Willie McErlean is honored as a the 1st drummer to be given a life time membership to the BCPA - Congratulations Willie!! The band pulled out a 3rd in the MSR and a 3rd in the medley and a 2nd in dress and deportment! Nice job by all.
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May 17th, 2009 - A successful weekend over on Vancouver Island for the band. We picked up a whole bunch of 2nd places at the contests. Comox was medley and Victoria was MSR and Medley - a good run through both events. Look for improvements from all sections as the season progresses!
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Apr 11th, 2009 - Greighlan placed 3rd overall at the BC Indoor today. They picked up a first in piping and a first in ensemble! Great sound and good job all. We are looking forward to a great season ahead.
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Feb 15th, 2009 - From the AGM for the District 50/50 Society held at Douglas College, it was announced that Ron Sutherland has been adopted as the Society's Honourable Patron Saint. Please look for more details to arrive soon. Congratulations Ron.
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Jan 17th, 2009 - Robbie Burns Day was an absolute success. Together with the White Spot Pipe Band (plus their dancers) and the Celt Fest Dancers, the entertainment was received with great applause. A wonderful meal, excellent scotches and an unbelievable silent auction table made an evening to remember. Good show!
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Nov 8th, 2008 - Greighlan infiltrates the BCPA! Graham Davidson successfully has been voted into the role of president of the BCPA. Band members Iain Mack, Bill Meston and Len Leroux have been voted into positions of directors! Congratulations everyone and good luck!
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Oct 21st, 2008 - The kilts are arriving, the kilts are arriving! After a very long wait, the shipments of kilts are landing on Canadian soil. Look for them at the next competition!
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Jul 27th, 2008 - The band wrapped up it's season with two well played perfomances. The MSR was good enough to place the band 3rd overall for the weekend. This caps off an entire season of placing at every single contest! The band finished 3rd overall in the heated Grade 3 field for the Grand Aggregate. Here's to another good season!
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Jul 19th, 2008 - Portland was a long drive down, but the band played fairly well despite. The pipe corps pulled a 1st and 3rd to bring the band into the prize list for the 9th time this season. No solo competitors competed at this games. Thanks to the Sir James MacDonald Pipe Band organization for delivering a great meal.
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Jul 12th, 2008 - After a change in the chanters, the band pulls out a 1st place in the MSR event at Skagit Valley! The drum corps also pulled out Best Drum Corps for the 2nd time this season. As well, Brianne placed 1st in her Piobaireachd and 3rd in her H&J. Congrats all!
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Jun 28th, 2008 - A few weeks after the last competition the band is still trying to sort out the new found cracked chanter issues. We mustered a good performance in the MSR and placed 3rd but couldn't hold it together in the medley event to pull top 3. On the solo front, Brianne placed 2nd in her Jig competition, Justin pulls out the overall win with a 1st in his MSR and a 6th in his H&J and Brett pulled a 4th in his MSR. Cheers to the White Spot Pipe Band Organization who hosted a fantastic lunch - good call on the sub sandwiches.
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Jun 14th, 2008 - The Band placed 2nd to the RMM 3 band. Bianne placed 6th in her 2/4 march and Justin fired himself back into the solo arena after a few years on hiautus!
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Jun 7th, 2008 - 3rd place at the Belligham Highland Games. RMM 3 and Portland Metro pick up 1st and 2nd place respectively. Good job all. Big thanks to the North West Junior Pipe Band crew that put on the fabulous lunch, the chicken was fantastic!
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May 18th, 2008 - Band places 1st overall at Victoria Highland Games. After placing 2nd in the medley competition, the band pulled it together and finished tops on the day in Gr 3. The results announcement was misguided and had the drum corps jumping for joy with a Best Drum Corps but turned out it was the whole Band!
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May 17th, 2008 - The band played well at its first outdoor competition of the year, in Comox, BC. 2nd on the day, but onto Victoria.
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Mar 29th, 2008 - Owen Barrington is the Over 21 Men's Irish Dancing World Champion! Click here for the commentary about the day.
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Mar 22nd, 2008 - At the BC Annual Gathering the band placed 3rd overall and won Best Drum Corps! The band had a good run through, have a listen on the media page
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Feb 17th, 2008 - Owen Barrington won the All Irelands 2008 Irish dance championship! Click here for the commentary about the day.
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