New band formed
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
IT'S good news to hear of the formation of a new pipe band in Northern Ireland.
Magheragall Pipe Band was just formed in July 2003, and at the moment there are approximately20 members from all age groups attending the practises.
Well known Pipe Major Billy Jackson and his wife Valerie, from Lisburn, are the piping instructors, with drumming taken by Jordan Dickson, and between them all have a wealth of knowledge and experience.
As a new band they are actively fund raising and are running a number of events to raise finance to purchase instruments and uniforms.
On 10 October the band will host a Carvery Night and Dance in Lowquarter Orange Hall at 8:00pm.
And then to see the old year out, a special Hogmanay Night has been planned for 31st December again in Lowquarter Hall and this will kick off at 8:00pm.
The band meet in Lowquarter Orange Hall, Ballinderry Road, Magheragall, Lisburn every Wednesday night at 8pm and anyone interested in joining them - either new or experienced members - can get further information from William Leathem on 078 0813 8016.
Andante Percussion of Banbridge has acquired the rights to manufacture the TG and Tom Brown brands of drumsticks, beaters, practise pads and drum carriers.
Sammy Hodgen, owner of Andante Percussion, will work with TG Drumming for further research and development of future products.
TG Drumming, which is based in West Lothian, Scotland, has been owned and operated by Tom and Gordon Brown, past and current leading drummers with the Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe band and winners of the World Solo Drumming Championships.
Sammy Hodgen will once again sponsor this year's World Solo Drumming Championships to be held on 25 October at Bathgate Academy.
The next Northern Ireland Branch Meeting of the RSPBA will take place on Saturday 27 September at 2pm in the Bridge Community Centre Lisburn.
The 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA will be held in the same venue in Lisburn on Saturday 11 October at 10.30am for 11am start.
Any change or alternation to any rule, Notice of Motion on or Recommendations for the AGM will be announced by Lorraine McVeigh Branch Secretary at the Branch Meeting o n 27 September.
The tape and CD of the 2003 World Pipe Band Championships are now on sale, and make good listening. They are available from usual outlets or from 'Beat Street' Cullybackey - phone 25880210.
Craig Stewart has taken over the reins as Leading Tip of the Toronto Police Pipe band Canada, and replaces Jeremy Keddy who left after this year's world championships.
Craig has held leading drummer positions with several top hands including the Peel Regional Police and Toronto & District in Grade 1 and for the last few years with the Niagara Police in Grade 2.
Leapoughs Pipe Band are interested to hear from any young person, boy or girl, over the age of nine years who would be interested in learning to play the pipes or drums. Please contact Sammy Martin on 9753 3386 for more details.
At the recent Annual General Meeting of Moneygore Pipe Band Nigel Hodgen was elected as their new Pipe Major along with John Gibson as Leading Tip. Nigel replaces his father Sam who has led the band for many successful years
We regret to report the sad news of the sudden death of Arthur
Ussher from Ballinderry on Saturday 20th September 2003.
Arthur was the father of George Ussher, President of the Royal
Scottish Pipe Band Association and Chairman of the Northern
Ireland Branch.
On behalf of all in the Association, we extend our deepest sympathy to George, his wife Elyse, his sisters, and all the family circle.
Ulster Star
26/09/2003
