At a time when piping and drumming news is both scarce and exceedingly downbeat to say the least I am delighted to inform readers of some truly upbeat news. Gary Smyth the lead organiser of the Kids with Cancer Charity concert that took place in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 22nd February 2020 has advised that the amazing total of £14,165 was realised.  On the night the concert…

Frank’s funeral service took place today in the 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland followed by interment in the Portglenone Church of Ireland Graveyard. His sudden passing at his home last Sunday has robbed the pipe band world of one of its great personalities. In the present day Frank was best known as ‘drone tuner in chief’ for the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and a much respected member…

The big event this weekend in the NI Piping calendar is the 3rd Kids with Cancer Charity concert which will be held tonight, Saturday 22nd February 2020, in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown. Gary Smyth and his organising team have put together a superb line-up including over a dozen elite drummers of which at least seven are former Adult World Champions.  Those appearing include current champion Steven McWhirter (10), all-time record holder Jim…

We conclude Gilbert Cromie’s excellent article on the origins of the RUC pipe band, now the Police Service of Northern Ireland Pipes & Drums. Read Part 1 here.. Newly promoted, success in Grade 2 for the RUC was not easily achieved. The main challengers were the re-formed McDonald Memorial and the McNeillstown, Syerla and Dromara bands. But the RUC did manage wins at the Ulster, County Antrim and County Fermanagh…

The origins of the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary come from a meeting held at Sprucefield RUC Depot in 1970 when a number of officers who were members of civilian bands discussed the possibility of starting a pipe band in the force. What surprised these men was the lack of interest for such an idea amongst the ‘top brass’, however they continued and soon they had enough…