On the piping shows on the BBC this weekend (Radio Scotland and Radio nan Gàidheal) there will be live recordings from this year’s Northern Meeting competition in Inverness, reports presenter Micheal Steele.
The shows include performances from the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, the Gold Clasp and the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Silver Star for Former Winners March, Strathspey and Reel.
Saturday night on Radio Scotland (9pm) has Nick Hudson from Texas performing the Daughter’s Lament. The performance saw Nick take the Clasp for the first time. You’ll also hear Stuart Liddell’s MSR-winning performance.
Sunday morning (10.30am) on the Gaelic radio has Craig Sutherland’s Gold Medal winning performance. He plays MacDougall’s Gathering. And you’ll also hear Iain Speirs who placed second in the Clasp with Scarce of Fishing. There’s light music on the programme too with more performances from the Silver Star.
Both programmes will be available after broadcast through BBC Sounds for a month. (Piping Sounds – BBC Radio Scotland Saturday 9pm / Crùnluath – BBC Radio nan Gàidheal Sunday 10.30am)
I’m hoping the programmes will be well received. It’s so important the competition is covered so we can enjoy the recordings for years to come.
Piping Sounds, BBC Radio Scotland 14/09/24 9pm – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022yyq
Crùnluath, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal 15/09/24 10.30am – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022ypw
And like I say, both will be available on BBC Sounds for a month after broadcast.
Northern Ireland Bands
Gilbert Cromie concludes his recent report…..Antrim Castle Gardens hosted the Antrim & Newtownabbey Regional Championships after a four-week break. Closkelt took Grade 1 unopposed, however they put in couple of great performances. Ravara once again lifted Grade 2 winning favour with all four adjudicators. McNeillstown were the third different winner on Grade 3A and Cloughfin continued their winning streak in 3B. Irvine Memorial stopped Upper Crossgare’s winning streak in Grade 4A while in Grade 4B Moneygore did the same to Altnaveigh Memorial.
It was great to see piping and drumming playing such a prominent part in Belfast TradFest 2024. Major Sinclair Memorial played at the ceilidh held on the Titanic slipway on Sunday afternoon and gave a very good account. Later in the afternoon the annual solo competition took place in the Deer’s Head, Belfast, featuring 2023 winner Alastair Donaghy, Scott Wallace, Reece Doherty, Alan Glenholmes and Alan MacPherson. Alan was this year’s winner.
Andy McGregor
Congratulations to the bands and D/Ms who won Ulster titles at the competition in Cookstown. It was also nice to see the RSPBANI Branch recognise the amazing 60 years piping service of Sidney Murray. The successful bands were G4B: Black Raven, G4A: Irvine Memorial; G3B: Cloughfin; G3A: McNeilstown; G2: Ravara; G1: Closkelt
Pipes and drums echoed across Donard Park, Newcastle, when the annual Heart of Down Pipe Band Championships took place. The weather couldn’t have been better and with a good crowd in attendance the scene was set for a great day of piping, drumming and drum majoring. Presentations were made to a retiring D/M steward, five pipers and one drummer, Gransha’s Sammy Smith, who had each served for 60 years. G4B: Black Raven; G4A: 1 Upper Crossgare; G3B: 1 Syerla; G3A: 1 Clogher; G2: 1 Ravara; G1: 1 Closkelt. Full results of all the above contests on the RSPBANI website.
The annual Kids with Cancer Charity Concert is in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, on March 22nd, 2025. The line-up will be released soon but will include St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band the current UK Champions and World Drum Corps Champions. Since its inauguration an amazing £75,037 has been raised for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity. Make sure you note this event in your diary.
