Tom steps down after five years as President
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
MR Tom McCarroll from Ahoghill has resigned from his position as President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Association after serving in office for five years.
Tom travelled all over Northern Ireland visiting every band and was a very popular figure in the band world both here and in Scotland. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch George Ussher has accepted the position of President and this will be ratified at the AGM meeting in Headquarters in March.
Two names will go forward for the position of Chairman in Scotland (a post that George will hold until March having served two years in this office). They are Kevin Reilly and Richard McGrory. Both are National Council Members.
The Ulster Festival of Piping and Drumming Committee are holding a special seminar on Saturday 8 March from 1-5pm for under 16 solo pipers and drummers.
It will take place in Monkstown Community School Newtownabbey and will include maintenance of instruments, practice routines and presentation of performances.
There will also be a piobaireachd course for all soloists and the fee for all this is £10.
Also on the same day and same venue a solo forum has been planned for all to go along to and make their thoughts known on ways of promoting solo piping and drumming.
This will take place at 2.30pm. For further details on both of these events please contact Sam Lawson, 8 Anaghanoon Road, Warringstown, Craigavon, BT66 7RZ tel. 3882 0374.
Cullenfad Pipe band require a new Leading Tip to lead their drum corps this season. The band are also on the look out for learner and experienced pipers.
They have set up instruction classes and hope to build a strong outfit to challenge in Grade 3B this incoming season. The contact number for more details is 8776 2746.
Style
The new style diary of events published by the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA is now available.
It features all dates for forthcoming competitions, names of all the officials and many more interesting news items. The man to see to order your copy is Walter McKibben and he can be contacted by telephoning 9061 0198. Walter also has new RSPBA ties and badges for sale, all at a keen price.
So popular has been the calendar of the Northern Ireland Branch this year that Mervyn Herron, the man behind this publication, is appealing to anyone - especially band secretaries - who have taken copies that they don't need, to please get in touch with him. Many people are still waiting to buy a calendar. Mervyn's number is 4372 3635.
Grade 2 Howard Memorial from Dungannon have acquired the services of experience drummer Graham Megarity as their new Leading Tip.
Graham led the drum corps of Killeen Pipe Band for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge with him. Pipe Major Robert Kirkland is delighted that Graham has come on board and hopes that this addition to their ranks will strengthen the whole band in the competition arena this season.
Ulster Star
14/02/2003
