Dromara girl Kathy conquers the world
DROMARA
drum major Kathy Megarry Calvin is to retire at the peak of her career,
after fulfilling her lifelong dream of winning the title of World Champion
at Glasgow on Saturday.
She became only the second woman to ever win the world title, and the first for some 27 years.
Kathy has been a drum major since she was ten years old and, although she is retiring from competing, will maintain her ties with the pipe band world and hopes to judge contests in the future. Kathy has several titles under her belt, including British, Scottish, Ulster and Irish, and has also been crowned European champion on four occasions.
However, she had always dreamed of becoming world champion and when that became reality in front of the huge crowds last weekend Kathy decided it was the ideal time to announce her retirement.
Speaking after returning home to Dromara this week, Kathy said she was delighted to capture the one title that had eluded her in a glittering career.
I am thrilled," she said. "You have to go with a bit of confidence that you can do it but on the day there were a lot of good competitors. It was just my day, thank goodness. It was worth the wait. I haven't stopped celebrating."
Kathy competing at the Craigavon and Armagh Piping Festival earlier this year. Picture by Rowland White/Presseye
Ulster Star
21/08/2009
