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The beautiful market town of Forres is
set to host the Benromach European Pipe
Band Championships for three consecutive
years, bringing a projected £1.2 million
of economic benefits to the town and the
surrounding area.
The event which will run on a date yet
to be confirmed during summer of 2013,
2014 and 2015 will attract over 100 pipe
bands from throughout Europe to the town
along with thousands of spectators and
visitors.
The venue for the Benromach European
Pipe Band Championships will be the
Grant Park in Forres – a natural
amphitheatre, located in the centre of
the town.
Chairman of Forres Events Ltd, Ian
Widdowson, said, “We are absolutely
thrilled to be bringing these
Championships to Forres. As well as the
obvious economic benefits for the area,
this world class event will allow us
showcase our beautiful town and enable
locals and visitors alike to enjoy the
very best in traditional pipe band
music.”
The announcement comes at the end of a
three year project led by Gordon &
MacPhail whose Benromach Speyside Single
Malt Whisky will be title sponsor of the
Championships. David Urquhart, Joint
Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail,
proprietors of Benromach Distillery
explains, “Since Gordon &
MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery
in 1993 we have always been keen to
consider ways of supporting the local
community. These Championships provide a
fantastic opportunity not only for
Benromach but for local people and
businesses alike.”
Forres was selected to host the European
Pipe Band Championships by the Royal
Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA).
The decision was made at the RSPBA AGM
in Glasgow on 10 March 2012. RSPBA Chief
Executive, Ian Embelton, said, “The
RSPBA was very impressed with the Forres
Bid to host the
European Pipe Band Championships in
2013, 2014, 2015. They put together a
professional presentation and made a
compelling case for the event to come to
the north of Scotland. The RSBPA remit
is to promote and celebrate traditional
pipe band music. Forres is in for a
treat as some of the best pipe bands in
Europe will descend on Forres over the
next three years.”
The Forres bid to host the European Pipe
Band Championships has been backed by
The Moray Council and Highlands &
Islands Enterprise.
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