Inspirational pipe band president steps down
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
COUNCILLOR Ronnie Crawford from has stepped down as President of the Northern Ireland Branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
He took up this challenging role in October 2003 replacing Tom McCarroll who had to resign owing to ill health.
Ronnie gave great inspiration in his speeches to all the pipe bands in the branch. He also used his talents as a compere at many concerts and was very popular with everyone.
His most memorable speech was at the Ulster Championships in Newcastle where he got the biggest cheer of the day when he paid tribute to the winners of all six grades at the 2004 world championships held in Glasgow.
This was a feat never before accomplished by any branch within the RSPBA and one that Ronnie cherished every moment.
He was a faithful visitor to every band in the Northern Ireland Branch encouraging them in their practices and supporting them at every competition including all the major championships in Scotland as well as Ireland.
Upper Crossgare Pipe Band honoured their Pipe Major Trevor Connor at his retirement dinner held recently in Ballynahinch.
Trevor had led the band to many successes over his long career with them starting in 1986 as a piper and then in 1992 when he took over the responsibility of pipe major.
Upper Crossgare won the British championships in 1999 as well as the All Ireland and the Ulster Championships five times under his leadership.
The 55th Annual General Meeting of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch will take place in the Bridge Community Centre Lisburn on Saturday, November 12 at 10.30am for 11am start.
There will be a lunch break from 1 to 2pm. All bands are urged to be represented at this important meeting.
The Annual Veterans solo competition scheduled for November 26 in the Abbey Lodge Hotel Downpatrick has unfortunately had to be cancelled owing to the venue been closed for refurbishing. A new date will be arranged very shortly.
The William Kennedy Piping Festival, organised by the Armagh Pipers Club will celebrate their twelfth anniversary this year when the Festival take place from the November 14-20 in Armagh City.
This event has gone from strength to strength each year and has become one of the most prestigious events in the Arts Calendar attracting a wide range of participants and spectators.
The Scottish Power Pipe Band and Ballinderry Bridge will appear in the Highland Pipe Band Concert, which will take place on Wednesday November 16 in the Market Place Theatre. This concert has become a highlight of the Festival in recent years, and with two top Grade 1 bands, this year's concert is sure to be a big hit.
Another concert will include a solo highland pipes concert on November 19 and will feature Pipe Major Roddy MacLeod and Ross Ainslie from Scotland along with local pipers Andrew Carlisle and Brendan Murphy.
Another concert will include a solo highland pipes concert on November 19 and will feature Pipe Major Roddy MacLeod and Ross Ainslie from Scotland along with local pipers Andrew Carlisle and Brendan Murphy.
Belvoir Drum Majors will be holding a drum major's Master class on November 26 in Belvoir Parish Church Hall from 2 to 5pm
The class will be taken by nine times world champion, and the current world champion - John Noble - who will be covering all aspects of drum majoring.
The class is free and is open to all drum majors. Further information can be obtained from Ronnie Davidson on 028 90298837.
Willie McCallum from Scotland set up a new record of 8 wins last Saturday at the Glenfiddick invitational solo-piping event, which took place at Blair Castle in Perthshire. He won both the Piobaireachd and the MSR.
Piobaireachd. 1. Willie McCallum. 2. Greg Wilson. 3. Bruce Gandy. 4. Angus McColl. 5. Murray Henderson.
MSR. 1. Willie McCallum. 2. Angus McColl. 3. Murray Henderson. 4. Gordon Walker. 5. Iain Speirs.
A Co. Antrim pipe band is looking for a new Leading Tip or Drumming Instructor. For further details please contact 07712 194981.
Ulster Star
11/11/2005
