Alan James will act as Piping Chieftain
Alan James is proud to be Chieftain at this year’s Piping At Forres event.
AJ Engineering MD Alan James has been chosen to act as Chieftain for the region’s biggest one-day event.
Alan who has been heavily involved in Piping At Forres since it started in 2013 was announced as the Chieftain of at a meeting held to encourage more sponsors to get involved in the 2018 European Pipe Band Championships which will take place in the town on June 30.
The meeting, hosted by title sponsor of Piping At Forres, Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, attracted both business representatives from across Moray and Highland and people from the tourism industry.
Alan has acted as chairman of Forres Events Limited, the company which organises the piping and drumming spectacular, for the last two years and has performed the role of accompanying and hosting previous chieftains throughout the event.
Eddie Tomkinson, a director with Forres Events Limited who works closely with Alan and the rest of the team to ensure the event goes smoothly said: “We are delighted that Alan has agreed to be our Chieftain for what is to be the last in the current series of European Pipe Band Championship being held in Forres.
“In 2012 Alan, together with other local business personnel started Forres Events Limited with the aim of convincing the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association that Forres would be an ideal venue for the competition. Their efforts were rewarded because not only did we secure the initial three-year contract from 2013-15 but, because of the event’s wide success and popularity, it was awarded a further three-year contact for 2016-2018.
“Sadly two years ago two of our directors died, leaving a big gap in the leadership team and Alan agreed to take on the role of Chairman.
“It is therefore fitting that in this, our last Championship in this series, Alan not only leads the team in what will hopefully be a fantastic day for all the competitors, traders and public but also on that day he represents Forres as our Chieftain.”
Ian Chapman, Marketing Director for Benromach added: “We congratulate Alan on his appointment as Chieftain of this year’s Piping At Forres. This much anticipated event showcases the musical and cultural talents of the participants, while the attendance of locals and visitors is testament to the festival team and our local community spirit. We are immensely proud at Benromach to have been involved with Piping At Forres from the beginning, and look forward to another great year in 2018.”
