Young achievers recognised at solo competition
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
CULLYBACKEY Pipe Band held their 19th Annual Solo competition last Saturday and were once again widely supported with a total of just under 100 entries.
Gavin Noade and Jonathan Greenlees, both from Grade 1 Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, won the senior drumming and senior piping championships.
As in previous years the drum pad, practice chanter and juvenile grades were well represented with 47 young people receiving 'Young Achievers Awards'.
The Band are delighted with the response received since they initiated the certificates a few years ago. It is very encouraging to see so many young people getting involved in both piping and drumming. This is a credit to the bands and tutors who give of their time in the endless task of introducing young people to the Pipe Band Fraternity.
Plans are already underway for next year's competition and a couple of new initiatives are being discussed to not only celebrate the twentieth year of the competition, but also to introduce new and exciting ideas to an already successful annual event.
A special thanks to everyone who supported the competition including the Principal and Caretaker of Cullybackey High School and the ladies section of the band committee for the excellent catering arrangements.
Adjudicators were Rory Grossart (Glasgow), Robert Watt (Maghera) - Piping with Jim Baxter (Edinburgh) Drumming Adjudicator.
The sympathy of the members of the Northern Ireland branch of the RSPBA is extended to James Kenny and Ivan Crothers on the recent loss of their mother Mrs Cissie Crothers.
The Crothers family has had strong links with pipe bands for many years with Kenny a National Council Member and Treasurer of the Branch, and his brothers James and Ivan also involved at administration level.
Because of Mrs Crothers funeral on Saturday 25th March the Meeting of the Northern Ireland Branch was cancelled.
RESULTS OF CULLYBACKEY SOLOS.
3rd & Gold Achievement Award: Allison Sharpe- Ballyboley. Silver Achievement Awards: Hugh O'Donnell - Ballymena, Matthew Wallace - Upper Crosgare, Ben McKee - Ravara, Aaron Connolly - Ravara, Scott Barr - Ravara. Bronze Achievement Awards: Dale Fisher - Upper Crosgare, Adam Fittis - Cullybackey, Andrew Hegan - Cleland Mem. Anna Cranston - RavaraDrum Pad Class - Under 14 -1st & Gold Achievement Award: Connor Burnside - Ravara; 2nd & Gold Achievement Award: John Herron - Gransha; 3rd & Silver Achievement Award: Lloyd Burgess - Raffery. Silver Achievement Award - Adam Morrow - Raffery. Bronze Achievement Awards - Gareth McCombe - Bready, Cameron Sharp - Ballyboley, Jason McDonnell - Bready, Renwick Sharp - Ballyboley
Drum Pad Class - Under 16 - 1st & Gold Achievement Award: Kyle Black - Aughintober; 2nd & Gold Achievement Award - Philip Armstrong- Ballyboley
Juvenile Drumming - Under 14 - 1st & Gold Achievement Award: Clarke Campbell - Bready; 2nd & Silver Achievement Award: Blake McVeigh - Gransha. 3rd & Bronze Achievement Award: Ian McCombe - Bready. Bronze Achievement Award: Calum Gibson - Moneygore
Junior Drumming - 1st: William Glenholmes -Cullybackey; 2nd: Jason Hoy - Cullybackey; 3rd: Jonathon Hoy - Cullybackey
Open Drumming - 1st: Gavin Noade - FMM; 2nd: Philip Bell - FMM
Novice Chanter - Under 14 - 1st & Gold Achievement Award: John O'Donnell - Ballymena; 2nd & Gold Achievement Award: Dean Cinnamond - Gransha;
Advanced Chanter (14-16) - 1st & Gold Achievement Award: Matthew Kelso -Ballymena; 2nd & Gold Achievement Award: William Wallace - Warringsford; 3rd & Silver Achievement Award: John Millar- Ballyboley.
Ulster Star
07/03/2006
