Logan: EPIC piper finishes second at World Championships

Angel Blackhurst,11, of Logan, competed in the World Solo Tenor Drumming competition, held in Glasgow Caledonian University. 

After being selected alongside Chloe Donald, 12, from Netherthird, both girls were competing in the World Championships for the first time, having only performed for the first time in solo competition in September. 

They both competed in the 14-and-under March, Strathspey and Reel category.

Amazingly, Angel came in second place, with Chloe also finishing in a fabulous fifth place.

Chloe Donald secured fifth place. (Image: EPIC East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy)

Angel and Chloe have been training with EPIC East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy for the past two years, and have been members of Kilmarnock Pipe Band for the past year.

They were up against a very strong field, including students of the prestigious Dollar Academy and George Heriot’s School – Scotland’s top private schools with amazing piping and drumming programmes.

They were also up against the winner of their section was Mitchell Olding from Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band in Vancouver, Canada – the feeder programme for previous World Champions Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. 

Supporting drummers and pipers. (Image: EPIC East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy)

The girls were supported in their performances by pipers Jai Blackhurst and Paul Warren, and snare drummer David Harling, and had a large crowd of supporters there cheering them on. 

Instructor Karen McCrindle said: “I’m just astounded by the results, I really didn’t think we would be looking at bringing home any prizes on the first attempt, so to have 2 is just amazing.

"I’d really like to say a huge thank you to Jai, Paul and David for all the effort they put in to help the girls, and a massive well done to the two girls for all the hard work they put in leading in to the contest, and all year round.

"We’re all absolutely ecstatic for you both.”