Outstanding performance by Drumlough Pipe Band
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
IT was a very moving occasion for Roberta Dunlop, Mayor of North Down, when she acted as Chieftain of the Day at the North Down Pipe Band and Drum Majors Championships held in Bangor last Saturday.
The Mayor said that acting as Chieftain was a dream come true for her and one which she will never forget.
Pipe Bands have been going to Bangor for almost 50 years and they bring to the town a colourful and family fun day for all the holidaymakers, competitors and supporters alike.
It was brilliant start to the second half of the season for Drumlough Pipe Band from outside Lisburn who won first place with an outstanding performance in Grade 4B.
It was one of the band's best results since they started competing again under the leadership of Pipe Major Nigel Burrows and Leading Tip William O'Brien.
Another local band was Ravara who also were in top form. Pipe Major Sammy Connolly and his band were back to winning form again taking first place in Grade 2.
Other winners on the day were Ballinderry Bridge in Grade 1 with Ballycoan in runner up spot and winners of the best bass and best drums section.
Seven Towers took top place in Grade 3A, Annsborough were winners in Grade 3B and Castlerock took the first place trophy in Grade 4A.
Adjudicators were Alistair Aitken and Sandy Steele for drumming, William Wallace and Ian woods for piping. Adjudicator for the solos was Colin Moffett.
The third of this season's five major championships will be the British, which will take place in Tain Scotland on July 30.
Field Marshal Montgomery will travel over to compete at this event hoping to secure their third win this season having already won the Scottish and the European Championships titles in Dumbarton and Banbridge.
Dr.Wright Memorial St.Laurence O'Toole Altnaveigh and Ballycoan will also compete at the British championships.
The 75th World Pipe Band Championships will be staged as usual in Glasgow on Saturday, August 13.
Because this is a special year for the pipe band association there will be several products on sale to mark the event.
Lapel badges are already on sale at £1 each and CD's and DVD's of the Grade 1 bands competing at the world championships will also be produced and be on sale shortly after the event.
There will be an opportunity for having a special presentation photo of your band, or if preferred of yourself, taken on August 13. The photo will display the crest of the RSPBA and will be framed. So look out for the photographer's tent near to the Grade 1 arena if you wish to get a special souvenir of the 75th world pipe band championships event.
Results.
- Solo Piping under 14. 1st.Neil Milliken. 2nd.Jamie Walker. 3rd.Robert Green.
- Solo piping under 16. 1st. Johnathon Lamberton.
- Grade 1. 1st.Ballinderry Bridge 2nd. Ballycoan. (also M&D best drums and best bass section).
- Grade 2. 1st. Ravara also M&D 2nd.Killeen. 3rd.Cullybackey (also best drums and best bass). 4th. City of Dunedin.
- Grade 3A. 1st. Seven Towers. (also best bass) 2nd.Marlacoo(also best drums). 3rd. Tamlaght O'Crilly. 4th.Banbridge. Bready Ulster Scots M&D.
- Grade 3B. 1st.Annsborough (also best drums). 2nd.Battlehill (also MID and Best Bass section) 3 r d. C o t t o w n. 4th. Ballydonaghy.
- Grade 4A. 1st. Castlerock (also best bass) 2nd. Matt Boyd Memo. 3rd. Aughintober. 4th, McNeillstown. Best Drums Gransha.
- Grade 4B. 1st. Drumlough. 2nd. City of Dunedin. 3rd. Cullybackey. (also best bass section). 4th. Banbridge Junior. (also best drums). Dr. Wright Mem. MID.
- Novice Juvenile. 1st. Kiera Wilson. 2nd. Laura Abraham. 3rd. Lauren Hanna. 4th. Dale Fisher.
- Junior. 1st. Simon Kerr. 2nd. Linzi Hamilton. 3rd. Samantha Gordon. 4th. Caroline. Clydesdale. 5th. Sharon Martin.
- Juvenile. 1st. Ryan Ferry. 2nd. Donna Gillespie. 3rd. Alicia Dickson. 4th. Elizabeth Sloan. Sth. Emma Chambers.
- Senior. 1st. Brian Wilson. 2nd. Ian Young. 3rd. Paula Braider. 4th. David Brownlee. 5th. Alistair Patterson.
Ulster Star
29/07/2005
