Lisburn to honour Hamilton Police Pipe Ban
THE Grade 2 Hamilton Police Pipe Band will be taking part in a special concert organised by the Northern Ireland branch of the RSPBA. It will be held in Lisburn on Friday August 3, just one day before the Ulster Championships take place in Moira.
The City of Lisburn are also planning to hold a civic reception in honour of the band who will compete for the first time in Grade 2 this 2007 season.
Then they hope to travel over the following week to compete at the World Championships in Glasgow. They also plan to take part during the Piping Live Festival taking place that week as well.
George Ussher chairman of the Northern Ireland branch said: "I am delighted to hear that the Hamilton Police Pipe Band is planning to include the Ulster Championships in their itinerary. This band is well known throughout the world as one of the top quality exponents of piping and drumming. They have many fans here it Northern Ireland who will be pleased to hear of this planned visit."
The Hamilton Police organisation has now more than 80 pipers and drummers spread over its three bands under Pipe Major Peter Aumonier.
The band won the PPBSO Champion Supreme in Grade 3 in 2006 and won the drumming championship trophy in Grade 3A at the 2005 World Pipe Band championships. They were upgraded to Grade 2 last autumn.
The entries have now closed for the Ulster Piping and Drumming Solos, which will take place on Saturday April 2] n Monkstown Community school.
There are 50 drummers and 60 pipers entered for this event with the piping starting at 10am and the drumming at 11 am.
Adjudicators are Rab Wallace, Joe Wilson (Glasgow) Paul Turner (Vale of Atholl) John Moneagle (Tayside Police) and William Garrett (Ballygowan).
Then on Saturday April 28 the Saintfield Full Bands competition will take place in Saintfield High School commencing at 1 pm. Entries close on Saturday April 14.
Piping adjudicators will be Jim Semple Glasgow for piping and Gordon Parkes Craigavon for drumming.
Contact Jonathan McCaughtry for further information on 9752 8098 or by email – johnathan.mccaughtry@icscomputing.co.uk. It is still not too late to get a ticket to hear Grade 1 Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band - the 2006 world pipe band champions – in concert at Armagh City Hotel on April 14 commencing at 8pm.
Contact McVeigh Highland Exports Caledon Co. Tyrone, Richard Hare Kilts Belfast, the Armagh City Hotel Armagh or for Credit Card sales www.bugpiper.net Congratulations to Bradley Parker from Portavogie who won second place in the March Strathspey and Reel and third in the jig and Piobaireachd at the Inverary Pipe Band Solo Championships in Scotland recently.
The University of Bedford Pipe Band (formerly known as the University of Luton) would be keen to speak to any individuals coming to London ;England) to work or to University/College and who would be interested in joining their band.
They have two Bands (a Grade 2 Band and a Grade 4 Band) and their Pipe Major is Tony Doherty who oversees not only the Grade 2, but also the Tuition for the Grade 4.
Drum Sergeant is Dave Budge, who like Tony, oversees the Tuition for both Bands.
The Practice arrangements for the band are as follows: Sunday Morning 9am -11am for Grade 4, 11am – 1.30pm for Grade 2. These practices take place at the University of Bedford, which is in Luton Town Centre. This is approximately a 5-minute walk from Luton Central Railway Station.
Wednesday 7.30pm-10pm for Grade 4 and Learners. At present they are in the process of moving the venue for Wednesday practice.
They are also looking to restart a midweek practice in Central London for the Grade 2 band in the next few weeks.
So if any one is interested in knowing more about this band can contact the following: - Tony Doherty Mobile Number 07763 382575 email ulpb@talk21.com Dave Budge Mobile Number 07977 721748 email drumbudge@yahoo.co.uk Steve Kelly Mobile Number 07918140866 email stephenkelly1962@btinternet.com.
The Northern Ireland branch of the RSPBA are saddened to learn of the death of Joe Whiteside who died last Saturday.
Joe was a well-known figure in the pipe band world having played as a piper with East Belfast and Ballydonaghy Pipe Bands. He was also the secretary of the Co. Antrim section of the association.
Sincere sympathy is extended to all his family and friends.
Ulster Star
13/04/2007
