Several RSPBA NI Branch bands are proposing to launch second bands to compete in the 2026 season. Bangor-based Cleland Memorial has announced that they are launching a Grade 4B band and are seeking pipers and drummers who are looking for a fresh start, a new challenge, or to get back into playing.
Cleland has an outstanding record of producing talented players as witnessed by those who attend the Blackthorn Pipers Society can testify from hearing them perform. Message their Facebook page to find out more, or contact P/M Caldwell Hamilton on 07749103147.
Elsewhere, Down Academy Pipes & Drums are recruiting with a view to competing at a higher level. They have an extensive tuition programme which has proved to be extremely successful as can be seen from success at many of the solo competitions. Competing at a higher level will provide the platform for band members to progress a far as their talent will take them, whilst maintaining the lower level band will provide an alternative pathway.
Cullybackey have been involved in an extensive tuition programme, particularly around local schools. Adrian Hoy tells me that they are not at the stage of bringing in a competition Grade 4B band, although in due course their pupils will be introduced to the band format through civic events. The band recently played at the turning on of Ballymena’s Christmas lights.
Musical Instrument Awards
Twenty pipe bands from Northern Ireland, including around nine who are RSPBA NI Branch members, were awarded grants by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland under its Musical Instruments Replacement Scheme.
The value of the grants to these twenty bands is £174,504 out of a funding total of £750,000 the balance shared with 114 other bands.
The grants will be very welcome to each and every one of the successful bands, but they will no doubt will be fundraising to meet additional costs the grant does not cover. I was in contact with Down Academy Chairman Eric Megaw who told me, ‘The band is really pleased to get this grant which is for drums. It is really important to our young drummers to have up to date instruments and replace our current ones, some of which are 20 years old.
‘It will help the drum corps and the band become even more competitive next season and in the seasons to come. We would like to thank the Arts Council for their support.‘
Bands who were successful were: Ballinrees, Bellanaleck, Bessbrook Crimson Arrow, Clonoe Independent, Cloughfin, Corkley, Crilly, Down Academy, Irvine Memorial, Kirlish, Marlacoo, McDonald Memorial, McNeillstown, Ringsend, Sinclair Memorial (Newtownstewart), Syerla, Tievemore, Tullylagan, Upper Crossgare and Waringsford.
The musical instrument grant scheme is obviously a major bonus for the marching and competition band community and is very much appreciated by them, however it also provides a significant boost for musical instrument suppliers both locally and across Great Britain. The total expenditure will be pretty close to £1m and it has to be spent, and instruments delivered by 31 March 2026, so I can imagine that manufacturers and suppliers will be extremely busy over the next five months.
Pipe Major Trevor Connor
The pipe band community has been paying its respects to the family of P/M Trevor Connor who passed away earlier this month. Trevor made a significant contribution to the pipe band scene in Northern Ireland and beyond and his standing was reflected by the large attendance at his funeral last Tuesday at Kilmegan Parish Church.
Trevor’s piping journey began in his home village of Dundrum, County Down, with the Downshire Pipe Band before spending many successful years with Dromara where he was Pipe Sergeant. In the early 1990s Trevor was invited to take over the leadership of Upper Crossgare who had returned to Grade 2 after a few seasons in Grade 1.
In a short time they were back in the prizes against top Grade 2 outfits such as Ballycoan, Bessbrook Crimson Arrow, Cullybackey, Ravara and Tamlaght O’Crilly. Notable prizes included an All-Ireland title in 1999 and four Ulster titles and Champion of Champions titles between 1996 and 1999 and numerous prizes at local contests and on their travels to the RSPBA Majors.
In later years Trevor was invited to take over as P/M of Gransha and again he brought considerable success to the band. 2010 was one particularly successful year when the band competed in Grade 4A lifting All-Ireland and Ulster titles together with the Europeans and Worlds.
While Trevor had not been competing in recent years, he was a regular attender at local contests where he enjoyed sharing memories with former band colleagues or those he had competed against.
As many of those commenting on his passing stated, he was always willing to share his expertise and most of all give encouragement. While Trevor will be much missed within the local piping scene his passing will be most keenly felt by his family, and on behalf of the pipe band fraternity I would pass on our condolences to his wife Annie, daughter Jillian and husband Ivan, son Alastair and wife Alison, and grandchildren James, Blair and Ava.
London Solos
Earlier this month the Scottish Piping Society of London held their 85th solo competition. Two local pipers were in the prizes. Ashley McMichael took third in the RG Lawrie Ram’s Horn Snuff Mull for A grade Piobaireachd.
Bradley Parker, originally from the North Down area, was placed first in the John Roe Plate for the B Piobaireachd, and second in the Mary Flora Beaton Cup for P Grade Hornpipe and Jig. Well done to both pipers – great ambassadors for NI piping.
- If you have any news from the NI piping and pipe band scene you’d like to pass on to Gilbert, please email him here.
