Update: Pipeline still at risk

Dear pipers, drummers and supporters,

I'm just writing with a wee update, and to let you know that astonishingly, we now have 9065 signatures on this petition for a full-service Pipeline programme on BBC Radio Scotland. Thank you all for your support!

Critically, there has been movement: Thanks to Tommy Smith (Jazzer) and others, we were able to meet last week with the senior executive team at BBC Scotland at Pacific Quay. I was there representing piping, Tommy Smith for Jazz Nights, Colin Currie for Classics Unwrapped and we were ably supported by MP Alison Thewliss--a huge supporter of specialist radio, for Pipeline and MP for Glasgow Central. 

The meeting was useful, but it left me disappointed both for the future of specialist music programmes, including Pipeline on BBC Scotland, but also because it's clear to me that, in the face of very challenging financial cuts, the direction of travel appears to be moving towards more generic programming for a mass audience, rather than any specialist provision for pipers and drummers. 

Pipeline, Classics Unwrapped and Jazz Nights are not just vital to young Scottish musicians and their families; to me, they are the manifestation of public service broadcasting in music--they deliver very high quality programmes that showcase our local talent, and reflect our identities back through music to Scotland, and the diaspora. 

The good news is, that following interventions from MP Pete Wishart (formerly of Runrig), MP Alison Thewliss and MSP Angus Roberston--amongst others--there is now going to be a Scottish Parliament Debate on February the 23rd at which the BBC will have to provide answers as to why they want to cut back on our musical traditions. 

You can help now--by writing directly to the members of the Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

And of course to the BBC itself via their complaints procedures--which is really the only metric that will count for them:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint

It's clear that the BBC have challenges to meet financially, but moving from the comprehensive coverage of piping and drumming in our lives, to a disc jockeying programme without any outside broadcasts or solo sessions etc., does not recognise the cultural value of piping, or indeed, meet the obligations of the BBC towards the public service charter. Please lend your support vocally now to this campaign while there is time to change hearts and minds!

Please share this campaign widely to whomever you think might be interested in signing their name!

Thanks again for your support,

Simon McKerrell.