24 bands register with the Association this year. The debt is the main problem but the Association continues to try to provide for workshops and indoor competitions in an effort to stimulate bands to higher levels of playing. A splinter group attempts to organize claiming that it can provide the same service for a much smaller fee. Government support is sought but it does not materialize. Few bands take it seriously and the movement dies quietly.

Things heat up for the Association as it becomes embroiled in the problems of the Gaelic College. Sources report to the legislature that the Association is going to blacklist the Gaelic College. The Association is accused of getting involved in a political battle. The President denies any move to blacklist the College and letters are sent to the legislature suggesting that we are being used by partisans in the College dispute. The provincial media gives lots of play to the threat of blacklisting but strangely does not mention the Association's denials.

The dispute over the medals continues to plague the Association. A lawyer is consulted. The supplier admits that the price charged is higher than the estimate but claims that we must cover the costs of the new die that had to be made when we altered the crest. The Association only asked that the crest be adjusted when it was apparent that the flaw in the original die would mean a new one would have to be made anyway. The supplier eventually cuts his bill by $900.00 and the Association pays a total of $ 2,600.00 for medals that should not have cost more than $1,500.00.

The Association received a request to send a 100 piece massed pipe band to England and Scotland for three weeks in August. As negotiations proceed, however, the date is changed to 1982. Later, the offer will be withdrawn completely, but there was a lot of excitement while it lasted. Roy Stanley Chisholm donates a silver buckle and cap crest to be awarded annually to the Pipe Major of the Year. The Antigonish Highland Society generously agrees to cover any deficit resulting from the spring instructor's workshop. A small grant is received from the Department of Recreation to assist with paying instructors.

Neil Dickie compiles a bagpipe maintenance booklet. The Association agrees to publish a limited number and they are immediately sold out. All costs are covered through the sales. The Antigonish Highland Society replace the IGC Championship of 1979 with the Atlantic Canadian Pipe Band Championship. Medley events such as this continue to gain popularity among Nova Scotia bands.

Neil Dickie organizes a very successful summer school at Mount Allison. It attracts many of the Association's top pipers and drummers who feel that the courses offered at the Gaelic College are for beginners and lower levels with nothing suitable to their own needs.

On a motion by Jack MacNeil of Dartmouth, five regional directorships are added to the Associations executive body. Harold MacDonnell expresses concern that nine of our member bands did not enter competitions this year and three bands which formerly we re with the Association have not kept up their membership. He fears the move away from competition by these bands may lead to a decline in their performance quality. His fears prove to be well founded as the feared decline does in fact take place.