Yet another success for Drumlough Pipe Band
DRUMLOUGH Pipe Band continued their superb form under Pipe Major Ian Burrows winning first in Grade 3B at the first of this year's local championships in Enniskillen.
President of the Co. Fermanagh Section, Mr Jim Henderson, warmly welcomed everyone last Saturday to the first of this year's local pipe band championships, held at the new venue of the Broadmeadow, Enniskillen.
Ravara under the direction of Pipe Major Sammy Connolly took top honours in Grade 2 winning first place plus best pipes and best bass section. Other winners were Dr. Wright Memorial in Grade 4B; Manorcunningham in 4A; Annsborough in 3A and Cullybackey in the Open Grade.
This week the action takes place at Antrim Castle with the Co. Antrim Championships commencing at 1pm. There are 40 pipe bands and 49 drum majors entered for this event.
Adjudicators are Trevor Dear, Harry Stevenson, Mark Wilson, Alistair Aitken, Ian Simpson, Winston Pollock, Billy Dunlop and David Clark.
The Competing Soloists' Organisation will again promote its solo piping and solo drumming competitions as part of the festivities at Glenarm Highland Games on Friday July 13 and Saturday July 14.
This, the third running of the event, has fast become an annual promotion. Set in the picturesque grounds of the Earl of Antrim's estate at Glenarm Castle the competitions take place in a true Highland Games atmosphere and are very much looked forward to by the young soloists as one of their favourite solos.
The competition grades are Under 12 years, Over 12 - Under 15 years, Over 15 - Under 18 years, Junior and Intermediate for both piping and drumming. The first two grades will be run on Friday July 13 with all other grades on Saturday July 14.
In addition to playing in their own age related grade all soloists will be given the opportunity to enter and 'play up' one grade if desired. All pipers can also contest in an open jig competition while drummers can vie for honours in an open hornpipe and jig competition.
The rules and entry forms for the various grades of competition have been produced and distributed to soloists registered with the organisers but if any other solo player - piper or drummer - would like to obtain a copy of these then they should contact the CSO Secretary Samuel Lawson at 8 Annaghanoon Road, Waringstown, Craigavon, BT66 7RZ; telephone 3882 0374 in good time before the closing date for entries of Monday July 2.
An added attraction at this year's event will be the appearance of young pipers and drummers from Kintyre Schools Pipe Bands from the Campbeltown area of Argyll in Scotland. These extremely talented
young musicians - among their accolades and achievements to date they hold Scottish, British, European and World Pipe Band Championship titles in their respective grades - will entertain the massed crowds playing as a band and individual players will also take part in the solo competitions
Results of Fermanagh Championships
Grade 4B - 1st. Dr.Wright Memorial. 2nd. Moneygore. 3rd. Clontibret. 4th. Upper Crossgare Best Drums and Best Bass Bready
Grade 4A - 1st. Manorcunningham. 2nd. St.Laurence Howth (also best drums and best bass) 3rd.Killadeas. 4th Cullybackey.
Grade 3B - 1st. Drumlough. 2nd. Raffrey. 3rd. Killen (also best drums and best bass) 4th. Augharonan.
Grade 3A - 1st. Annsborough (also best drums and best bass) 2nd. Aughintober. Both bands shared best pipes.
Grade 2 - 1st. Ravara. (also best pipes and best bass) 2nd. Cullybackey. 3rd. Killeen. (also best drums) 4th Seven Towers.
Open Grade - 1st. Cullybackey. (Also best drums and best bass) 2nd, Killeen. 3rd. Seven Towers. Best Pipes - 3 way tie between above bands.
Novice Drum Majors - 1st. Elizabeth Morrow. 2nd. Laura Abraham. 3rd. Rachel Caldwell. 4th. Emma Barr. 5th. Victoria Catterson.
Junior - 1st. Lorna Robinson. 2nd. Gary Scanlon. 3rd. Lauren Hanna. 4th. Dale Fisher. 5th. Stephen Gilchrist.
Juvenile - 1st. Ryan Ferry. 2nd. Emma Chambers. 3rd. Samantha Gordon. 4th. Linzi Hamilton, 5th.Gemma McKinney.
Senior - 1st. Paula Braiden. 2nd. David Brownlee. 3rd. Kathy Megarry Calvin. 4th. Brian Wilson. 5th. Ian Scott.
100 year old hall to be re-opened
A PARADE will take place at Drumlough on Friday night to mark the centenary and rededication of the area's orange hall. Following the parade the building which has been upgraded will be officially re-opened by Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson. The service of re-dedication will be conducted by Rev. John Scott Martin.
A number of members of Drumlough LOL 423 will also be presented with 50 year service medals on the evening by Drew Nelson, Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
The Worshipful Master of Drumlough True Blues LOL 423 Mr. James Magee said the hall had been the focus of local community activity for 100 years.
"It was built by the community for the community. It has witnessed many significant local historical events, with people such as
Harry Ferguson having been regular visitors," he continued.
"I have no doubt that those who built this hall had a vision that it would be around in 100 years and I trust that those who use its facilities today are worthy guardians of that legacy."
Next Friday evening's parade which will include two bands will leave the Orange Hall at 7.00pm marching to Raffertys Hill Roads Crossroads and back. All proceeds raised will be donated to Kidney Research Northern Ireland.
The hall is currently used by a number of organisations including Drumlough Trues Blues LOL 423, Mosside WLOL, Drumlough Pipe Band and Drumlough Cultural Society.
It has recently been upgraded with the addition of modern facilities and a storeroom extension.
Ulster Star
01/06/2007
