Schools pipe band hit the right note with councillors

Councillors have praised North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band for their participation in the Tartan Week celebrations in New York.

A total of 48 young musicians, aged 11to- 18 and hailing from across the region, travelled to the Big Apple in April.

While there, they took part in the Tartan Day parade on Sixth Avenue, which was marshalled by Sir Billy Connolly, attracted 30,000 spectators and was televised worldwide.

Online footage of them performing Scotland the Brave and Rowan Tree in Grand Central Station also went viral, being seen by millions across the globe.

The band also has an impressive track record in competition and last week won the British Championships.

All of this was mentioned in a motion proposed by education convener Frank McNally at a meeting of the council in Motherwell.

Councillor McNally accompanied the band on their trip to New York, at his own expense, as did Provost Jean Jones who chaired the council meeting.

Seconding the motion was Councillor Catherine Johnston, who also saw the band as she was visiting the United States at the time of the events.

Part of the motion states:“The young people did North Lanarkshire proud in the Big Apple and continued their successful start to the playing season by winning at the recent British championships.

“The council thanks them for their hard work and wishes them all the very best in their future endeavours.

“The council also thanks those who helped make the trip to New York a great success.”

The motion was passed unanimously by all councillors, who also shared in a round of applause at this achievement.

Stateside success The pipe band was a big hit in New York