The recent announcement by the RSPBA parent body that the UK Championships are to be held on the 12th July 2025 at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, near Edinburgh, has caused some consternation amongst the local pipe band fraternity in Northern Ireland.
On a number of fronts this date does not suit bands from Ulster and adjacent counties – and they are not all associated with the Twelfth of July parades that take place that day.
For the competitive pipe bands associated with the NI Branch it has been a long held tradition that no competitions are held for a period of around three weeks after the All-Ireland Championships [July 5th, Londonderry-Derry].
This period coincides with what was traditionally known as the ‘Twelfth Fortnight’ when in days gone by most people had to take their holidays. While this has changed significantly for the pipe band community, this period still provides the opportunity to get a holiday before the season restarts.
Such a scenario is all the more relevant for the pipers and drummers with children of school age trying to fit in some time away.
The Twelfth parades taking place the same day present a number of competing bands with a dilemma. Many of them have a commitment on that day to lead the lodge that formed them.
Others have an arrangement whereby they get the use of an Orange Hall free of charge for practices. This is a fruitful agreement for bands. They use the hall all year around in exchange for the band leading the lodge out to church services and parading with them on the Twelfth.
Many other bands are unable to compete without pipers and drummers from non-contest bands and those members will be committed to accompany their home lodge band on that day.
I expect there to be a very small attendance from NI bands Ingliston. This will not affect the competition much, for in reality NI bands having been competing in smaller numbers on the UK mainland since the 2008 financial crash.
Most will do the Scottish and the Worlds – and of course were out in numbers at the UKs when they were held in the Province following the end of the Cowal Championship in 2014. We were very fortunate and grateful that the UKs were held here.
In any criticism of the clash of dates we must also show some sympathy for the RSPBA. They have been working tirelessly to get sponsors for the five major championships.
They were not in a position to haggle over dates for the UKs at a time when this event was only the fourth championship to be confirmed for the 2025 season.
The pipe band fraternity has been well served by the Association over the last three decades with regular Major Championships being held annually and very well run at that.
We wish the RSPBA good luck in securing the fifth major for 2025. Rumour has it that Dumfries is expected to be announced as the venue for the British Championships in June. With the reasonably close ferry connection, that would definitely suit bands from Northern Ireland.
