Category: Blog

NI News: Richard’s New Masterclass/ Parade of Champions/ All Ireland Date/ Jim Graham/ Tullylaggan 100/ IPBA Recruiting

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Ulster’s pipe bands are set to benefit from a new masterclass featuring 13 times World Champion, Pipe Major Richard Parkes. The new initiative was announced at Stormont when Ulster-Scots musicians from across Northern Ireland came together at Parliament Buildings to mark their success at last year’s World Pipe Band Championships, in a celebration organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency.  The Great Hall was packed to capacity with pipers, drummers and drum…

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Canada’s City of Victoria Pipe Band Celebrate 50 Years Since Their Founding

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The City of Victoria Pipe Band, British Columbia, Canada, was formed in the autumn {fall) of 1972. Although the band ceased operations a number of years ago, past members met recently, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its formation. By Peter Aumonier Organised by Colin Magee and Gord Pollock, the band gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Victoria, BC, for cocktails, an excellent meal, and an evening of story telling and…

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NI News: Gareth Appointed FMM Leading Tip as Keith Retires/ Matt a Hit at Blackthorn/ Stormont Certificates

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At a celebratory function in the Dunadry Inn last weekend, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band announced that leading drummer Keith Orr had decided to stand down and that his replacement would be drum corps member Gareth McLees. This brings to an end one of the most successful partnerships in pipe band history. Keith and P/M Richard Parkes have shared in around fifty RSPBA Major Championship successes. This includes 11 World,…

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History: P/M Speedy, Scots Guards, and a Libyan Band he Trained During WW2

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Further to researcher Liz Gardner’s article on the unknown Libyan Pipe Band, I can forward the following information. The band was known as the Senoussi Pipe Band of the Cyrenaican Defence Forces and was taught by Pipe-Major William Speedy of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.  By Ron Abbott Pipe-Major 3184097 William Butler ‘Jock’ Speedy was born in Polwarth [near Duns, Scottish Borders] in 1902 and died in London in 1969.  He was…

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Winter Storm Results

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This competition was held in Kansas City on January 13. It attracted a very large entry in all categories. Andrew Carlisle, Northern Ireland and Pittsburgh, was the aggregate winner in the professional class. In addition to other prizes, Andrew (pictured) was awarded $1,500 for travel to Scotland to compete, or to travel back to Winter Storm 2024. Gold Medal Piobaireachd 1 Andrew Carlisle2 Nick Hudson3 Andrew Lewis4 Alastair Lee5 Derek Midgley6…

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