DRUMMED OUT
Police band sack their drum corps leader after 21 years at the helm
One of the world’s most successful pipe bands are at war after their head drummer was sacked.
Eric Ward was booted out of the Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band last week by managers Niall West and Pipe Major Iain McPherson.
Ward, 61, a civilian police worker, plans to contest the sacking and still considers himself the band’s lead drummer.
The move follows a series of disappointing results for the band in major competitions this year, including a poor finish in last months world championships at Glasgow Green when they finished eighth.
The band, formerly the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, have been world champions 11 times since the war.
Ward decl ined to c omment on t he sacking.
In a statement he said: “Al l this was done without consultation or knowledge from the band and drum corps.
“The drum corps won several championships under my leadership and most recently the two drumming championships won in 2015.
“The band has had a tough year. However, I have spoken with members of the drum corps who have shown their support for the band and genuinely believe this is not in the band’s best interest.
“I enjoy playing and I am more than capable of doing so. I don’t intend on giving up my position as leading drummer at this time and will provide updates when this matter has more transparency.”
Ward, who works at Pollok Police Off ice in Glasgow, has been lead drummer for 21 years.
Neither Inspector West, who is the band’s bass drummer, or Pipe Major Iain MacPherson, who is a retired police inspector, could be contacted for comment.
However they have already begun advertising for a replacement lead drummer in the piping press.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “A decision was made recently by Insp Niall West, the off icer in charge of the Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Pipe Band, to appoint a new leading drummer to the band.
“This was a purely musical decision and one which Police Scotland fully endorses. The band would like to thank Eric Ward for his enormous contribution to the band over the last 21 years, which has been central to its success.”
Robert Wallace, editor of Pipe Band magazine said: “This has been a difficult year for the Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band with no placings in the top six at any of the major championships.
“Pipe Major MacPherson took over last year and may have felt that a change was needed before the band could rise up the ranks again.”
A band insider said: “Although he never managed to win a World Solo Drumming t it l e , Ward was consistently in the top- tier and considered one of the pipe band greats.”
I don’t intend giving up my position as leading drummer