Ulster Pipe Band Season Kicks off at Newtownards

The 2019 pipe band season got underway yesterday (May 11) at Newtownards Airport in the shadow of Scrabo Tower. Despite a bright and sunny day, a stiff breeze coming off Strangford Lough kept temperatures low. Sponsored by the North Down and Ards Borough Council, all manner of stalls and activities were laid on and this created a family friendly atmosphere which is what these events are all about.

It was disappointing with an already lower than usual entry that there should be further withdrawals reducing the entry to 26 bands. In Grade 1 World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery were the winners ahead of the PSNI who won the drumming.

Ravara took Grade 2 on ensemble preference and also won the drumming. They beat off the challenge of Manorcunningham who had the best pipe corps. This will please their Pipe Major Gordon Carson who was hospitalised during the week and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Closkelt, who were expected to be the band to beat in the section, withdrew due to some of their new players not being registered in time. Promoted St Mary’s Derrytrasna seem to be strengthened and won Grade 3A from Thiepval Memorial in second and third placed Battlehill who lifted the drum corps prize.

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McNeillstown’s steady progress up the grades was confirmed as they had four firsts in 3B. Cullybackey, who are celebrating their centenary, did so in style by winning Grade 4A in which an improved and strengthened second placed Augharan won the drumming.

Mountjoy, who returned to the contest scene last year, came out with all guns blazing to take four first in 4B ahead of the improving Altnaveigh Memorial. Thirty drum majors competed with Lauren Hanna the Adult champion and Kathy Hunter (Juvenile), Louis Anderson (Junior) and Mia Buckley (Novice) winning the other sections.

The full results were as follows: Grade 1: 1^st Field Marshal Montgomery (also Best Pipes, Bass Section & M&D), 2^nd Pipes & Drums of the PSNI (also Best Drum Corps).

Grade 2: 1^st Ravara (also Best Drum Corps , Bass Section and M&D), 2^ndManorcunningham (also Best Pipes).

Grade 3A: 1^st St.  Mary’s Derrytrasna (also Best Pipes), 2^nd Thiepval Memorial (also Best M&D), 3^rd Battlehill (also Best Drums), 4^thQuinn Memorial (also Best Bass Section).

Grade 3B: 1^st McNeillstown (also Best Drums), 2^nd Major Sinclair Memorial (also Best Bass Section and M&D), 3^rd Kildoag, 4^thAugharan.

Grade 4A: 1^st Cullybackey (also Best Bass Section and M&D), 2^nd Augharan (also Best Drums), 3^rd Kildoag, 4^th Bessbrook Crimson Arrow.

Grade 4B: 1^st Mountjoy (also Best Drums and Bass Section), 2^nd Altnaveigh Memorial, 3^rd Broughshane & District, 4^th Ballyboley. Best M&D: Kirkistown.

Drum Majors: Novice: 1^st Mia Buckley, 2^ndCarys Graham, 3rd Katie Clarke, 4^th Harry Mills, 5^th Jorja Turkington. Junior: 1^st Louis Anderson, 2^nd Benjamin Walker, 3^rd Leanne Crooks, 4^th Jamie Lee Wilson, 5^th Louise Smiton.

Juvenile: 1^ST Kathy Hunter, 2^nd Abigail Wenlock, 3^rd Kathryn McKeown, 4^th Charlotte Ruddock, 5^th Katie Bicker.

Adult: 1^st Lauren Hanna, 2^nd Emma Barr, 3^rd Jason Price, 4^th Andrea McKeown, 5^th James Kennedy.

• All photographs courtesy RODNEY BROWNLEE PHOTOGRAPHY. Check out the RSPBA website for results from the Scottish band contest at Dunbar.

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