Change afoot in the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch. The AGM is at 11am this Saturday, 30th November, in Cookstown Methodist Church Hall. Judging by the number of post holders who have decided to step down, there will be significant changes to the 2025 officer team.
Those not standing for re-election include current Branch President Winston Pinkerton, Treasurer Kenny Crothers, RSPBA NI Director Lorraine Ronaldson and Branch Chief Steward Brian Harvey. Each has given magnificent service to the branch, and in the case of Kenny and Lorraine, to the RSPBA parent body as well.
Winston has been a very popular NI Branch President since 2015 and through the office he has spearheaded a charity raising initiative for a variety of worthwhile causes. His involvement in bands goes back many years as a piper with Ballydonaghy and I believe Robert Armstrong Memorial.
Kenny has been NI Branch Treasurer since 1982 and was a RSPBA National Councillor/ Director from 1985 to 2022. In addition to being involved in the unprecedented success which the NI Branch has achieved, Kenny also made a significant contribution to the RSPBA parent body particularly with regard to its finances.
Lorraine has been an RSPBA Director since 2016, however her service to the NI Branch stretches back many decades having held the post of NI Branch Secretary from 2002 – 2024 and in earlier times she was a compiler. Lorraine of course is part of the McVeigh family dynasty whose involvement in the NI Branch stretches back to its foundation in 1951.
The retirement of Chief Steward Brian Harvey was signalled some months back. Brian is the longest serving Chief Steward ever with almost twice the service of any of his predecessors.
It will be interesting to see who will be nominated for these important roles however I am sure that the Branch will have suitable replacements.
Jeffrey McCready
It is sad to report the recent passing of Jeffrey, one of our top Drum Majors for many years with World Adult Champion wins in 1983, 1986 and 1989 during a glittering career. His father Joe was one of our leading D/Ms in the ’60s and Jeffrey followed in his footsteps entering competitions at Junior and Juvenile level at a time when we had a large number of excellent exponents such as Robert Cochrane, Arlene Greer, Robert McCambley, Jason McFadden and Ian Young.
Entry to the Adult section would prove to be as daunting as it could be, competing with McDonald Memorial against such champions as Harry, Alan and Violet McBride, Jim Murdock and Scotsman John Noble who won twelve World titles.
In a tribute RSPBANI Branch Chairman Alastair Patterson, himself a winner the World title in 1998, said, ‘In the 1980s Jeff was one of the outstanding talents. His drills, marching and deportment were of the highest and the best.
‘With Violet, Alan, and Harry McBride, and the RUC’s Robert McCambley, he was part of the big five in Northern Ireland. They set the bar to the highest level possible. A sad day and my deepest sympathies to Jeff’s entire family circle. I give you one final salute Jeff: rest easy Drum Major’.
Bands Query
In reply to Tim Harbison’s query on competing bands in Ireland, I have done a little research on both bands mentioned. Agivey have been off the road for some time, however they appear to have been active from the early 1920s. I have a picture of the band during their competition days,
The Garvagh Pipe Band remain active and again they appear to have been formed around the early 1920s. I have information on a few fundraisers from late 1924 so it could well be that they are approaching their Centenary.
Both bands competed over the years, with Agivey being particularly successful with their drum corps containing some of the Scullion family, two of whom went on to be World Adult Solo Drumming Champions. If you have specific questions please address them to bandsman2010@hotmail.co.uk and I will try to get answers for you.
Belfast Tartan Day
This Saturday is St. Andrew’s Day and the Ulster-Scots Agency will be holding the first ever Belfast Tartan Day the highlight of which will be the ‘Tartan Day Dander’. The dander (a dander, or daunder, is a sort of informal walk or parade), will involve pipers, drummers, drum majors, Highland dancers and Scottish Country Dancers from Belfast and around Ulster.
The Ulster Scots Agency massed band which will play Scotland the Brave, Rowan Tree, Green Hills of Tyrol, When the Battle’s O’er, My Land, and Balmoral. The Agency was also keen to have youngsters, so aspiring pipers were asked to come along and bring their practice chanters.
I understand that the Agency has now closed the application process so there obviously has been a great take up so we will see a large tartan clad parade through the city. The Dander will start at the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre at 12 noon and on its completion all participants will be invited into the City Hall for a Tartan Tea where they will be able to collect their certificate of participation, enjoy hot drinks and seasonal treats, be entertained by a Scottish Ceilidh Band and enjoy the craic.
