Ulster at the Duncan Johnstone: On Saturday 21st March a number of pipers from Northern Ireland took part in the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition in Glasgow. The overall winner of the B Grade competitions was Andrew Pattison, while Scott Wallace was the Grade C winner.
The B Piobaireachd was won by Rathfriland’s James Frazer who also placed fifth in the B MSR and second in the B Jig. Scott Wallace won both the C MSR and the C Jig, and was also placed fourth in the C Piobaireachd. Other Northern Ireland competitors in the prizes were Bradley Parker (third B Piob.), and Mark Warnock (third C Jig]. The Republic of Ireland’s James Stone, the recent winner of the Belfast Trad solo piping competition, was fifth in the C Piobaireachd.
Last Friday night Upper Crossgare celebrated their 90th Anniversary with a Supper & Ceilidh in Edengrove Presbyterian Church Hall. The hall was packed to capacity as the band made their entrance featuring thirteen pipers and seven side drummers, including drumming maestro Wilby Hanna who has been involved with the band for 75 years.
The band were in excellent form and it was great to see a number of young pipers making their debut. P/M Mark Rodgers welcomed those present and gave an outline of the band’s history. He paid tribute to the many individuals who had given so much to ensure the bands longevity and provided so much success in competitions.
P/Ms Joseph Harte and Samuel Smyth led the band onto the road and then William Chambers, Duncan Graham, Ivor Chambers, Trevor Connor and William Wallace contributed massively over the years. Leading drummers David Campbell, Wilby Hanna, Richard Garnham, Trevor McKibbin, Ian Cherry, David McKibbin and Adrian Booth also made their mark.
Presentations were made to long serving members Kenny Crothers, Wilby Hanna and Derek Mack who each joined the band in the ’50s and who still play administrative and tuition roles within the group. The trio cut the special 90th Anniversary cake. There followed a supper and the evening closed with a ceilidh. Thanks were expressed to Edengrove Presbyterian Church for the use of the hall, Sam Gill for arranging the tickets and Band Secretary Mrs Anne Mack for providing the cake.
McDonald Memorial Pipe Band Juvenile Solo Championships: Dromore High School was the setting for this competition on 21st March. There was a great entry, and the event was extremely competitive giving the adjudicators David Caldwell (Piping) and Mark Armstrong (Drumming) quite a few headaches. Results: Novice Drum Pad: 1 M Steele (Hollymount) 2 J Kennedy (Syerla) 3 L Maguire (Cleland); Adv. Drum Pad: 1 A Fitzsimmons (Down) 2 M Steele (Hollymount) 3 H Wilson (Gransha). Snare: 1 T Montgomery (Gransha); U14 Drumming: 1 H Turkington (Down) 2 L Kerr (Syerla) 3 J Semple (Hollymount; U16 Drumming: 1 M Brownlee (Syerla) 2 C Freeburn (Ravara) 3 J Laird (Ravara); U18 Drumming: 1 M Brownlee 2 A Spiers (Down) 3 W Smiton (Tullylagan). Novice Chanter: 1 R Loney (Syerla) 2 J McCloskey (Drumlough) 3 J McFarland (Syerla); Novice Piping: 1 J McCloskey 2 H Bell Hamilton (Cleland); U14 Piping: 1 B Cardy (Cleland) 2 H Foster (Down) 3 E Brownlee (Syerla); U16 Piping: 1 J Stewart (Ballybriest) 2 J Moore (Down), 3 B Rooney (Major Sinclair); U18 Piping: 1 M Stinson (Syerla) 2 J Stewart 3 S Townsley (Cleland). Jack Rankin and Alan Waddell were the winners of a month’s membership for the Piping Club who kindly supported the solos for the second year.
Leinster Solo Piping & Drumming Championships: RSPBA NI Branch pipers and drummers started the season earlier than usual with a trip to the Leinster Solos. Results: Piping U14: 1 H Foster (Down Acad.), 2 E Brownlee (Syerla); U18: 1 S Townsley (Cleland), 2 P Murphy (Down Acad.); C1: 1 S Toner (Cloughfin); A Grade: 1 James Stone (SLOT), 2 Scott Wallace (Inveraray), 3 Sean Maloney (Closkelt). Adult Open: 1 Sean Maloney, 2 James Stone, 3 Scott Wallace. Pìobaireachd: 1 Marc Warnock (Tullylagan) 2 James Stone 3 Scott Wallace. Drumming: U12 Pad: 1 A Fitzimmons (Down Acad.); Practice Pad Novice: 1 B McIwaine (Down Acad.); U14 Snare: 1 H Turkington (Down Acad.); U16 Snare: 1 M Brownlee (Syerla).
Major Sinclair Memorial: The band lost one of its longest serving members with the passing of former Chairman Carleton ‘Cartie’ McAllister. Cartie gave 63 years of service after joining in 1963. He served as chairman for over 30 years and was an important playing member up to his retirement in 2008. He was instrumental in the band returning to the competition arena in 2008 and since then the band has continued to grow. The band has lost a legend who will be greatly missed. The band formed a guard of honour and played at Cartie’s funeral in Antrim & Newtownabbey Crematorium on 2nd March. Online donations in lieu to Chest Heart & Stroke are via flemingandcuthbert.co.uk.
Blackthorn Piper’s Society: The Society continued through February and March with guest pipers Reece Doherty and Robert Black. The guest piper for April, the final night of their 2025/26 season, has yet to be announced. A feature on the evening will be a group of Brian Boru pipers from the Crimson Arrow Pipe Band (Newcastle, County Down) who will play some tunes and explain the background to the pipes.
Bagpiper’s Handbook – Handy Maintenance Tips
A concise yet complete handbook for all pipers. Learn how to tie in a stock, adjust your reeds, test your bag and much, much more. A handy size, the book can be kept in the pipe case for easy reference. The book comes complete with a set of video instructions which help explain each lesson. Access them: here.
‘It is beautifully presented and full of wise tips for pipers’….Fred Kew, Hong Kong