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New venue for major contest

Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell

THE 51st Ulster Pipe Band and Drum Majors championships were held last Saturday at Prehen Playing Fields, Derry City.

This was the first time the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA had used this venue, and in spite of a few hiccups at the start, it proved a very successful day.

This was due in no small part to the untiring efforts of National Council members Mervyn Herron and Kenny Crothers and their team of able workers.

Chieftain of the Day, Councillor Kathleen McCloskey Mayor of Derry City, said the occasion would live in her memory as one of the highlights of her year in office.

As well as the usual pipe hands and drum majors the Ulster Championships featured Highland and Scottish dancing, Highland Heavy Sports and recitals by the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra featuring Charlie Gillan.

In Grade 1 the record set by the Robert Armstrong and Ballycoan Pipe bands was equalled by Field Marshal Montgomery, when they won the championship title for the twelfth time. In Grade 2 Ballycoan continued their winning streak by taking 1st place and best pipes. Cullybackey won the drumming title.

Winners in the other grades were Lord Edward's Own in 3A with North 'Belfast, making their debut this season, winning best bass and best drums and 4th placing.

Grade 3B was won by Finvoy with Bready taking the trophies for best bass and best drums.

Quinn Memorial won 4A with Mountfield taking best drums and Altnaveigh Memorial the best bass section. Gransha won 1st place in 4B and also best pipes, best bass and best drums.

Champion of Champions 2002 are Field Marshal Montgomery in Grade 1 with Ravara winning drums, Ballycoan in Grade 2, Banbridge in 3A with Tullintrain taking drums, Finvoy in 313 with Bready winning drums, Quinn Memorial in 4A and Gransha in 4B.

The Ulster Champion Drum Majors are Jason Morrison (Novice Juvenile), Ryan Ferry (Junior) and Jennifer Elvin (Juvenile) who all also won the Champion of Champions 2002. Ian Young won the Ulster senior title and Brian Wilson was crowned Champion of Champions 2002 in this grade.

The RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch are presenting a Pageant to celebrate the Queen's (olden Jubilee, which is also supported by the North Down Borough Council and the Awards for All.

Pipe Bands appearing at this event are Cleland Memorial, Cottown, Dr. Wright Memorial, Gilnahirk and Kirkison, who will all he playing in masse at the finale.

Other artists include Ian Bryson on Lowland Pipes, 'Scots Mist'. Wm. Drummond. soloist. Regal Swing hand and the country dancers.

This will all take place at the Magee Clock on the Promenade Bangor at 3pm on Saturday, 7 September. A collection taken up by the BB is on behalf of one of Her Majesty's charities.

The Newtownstewart Highland Games will take place on Saturday 7 September and will feature the outdoor solo piping, solo drumming and piobaireachd competitions, and kicks off at 10am.

For further details please contact (:live McFarland, 10 Hillview Villas, Ardstraw, Newtownstewart. Co. Tyrone BT78 4JL, telephone 90-669591.

One of our very busy adjudicators at the moment is Bobby Brannigan from Belfast. Bobby was the piping adjudicator at last Saturday's Solo competition at the Ulster Championships held in Londonderry Recently, along with drumming adjudicator Dickie Lee, he also judged the 'McCallum championships at the Festival in France.

The winners at the solo event were Robert Watt from Maghera, Gordon Walker and Fled Morrison - both from Scotland.
In the band section Breitge hand took lst place and won hest drums, Monksnnvn Mossley was runner up with St. Patricks from Cork and St. John's from Dublin 3rd and 4th respectively.

Ulster Star
30/08/2002