Andrew Bonar, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band – Tribute from P/M Terry Lee Added

It is with real sadness that I report the passing of Andrew Bonar who has died after a three-year battle with brain cancer, writes the Editor. Andrew (51) was a brilliant piper with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and on the front rank during their glory years of five World Championship wins under P/M Terry Lee. Andrew is fourth from the left in there picture above. Andrew was also an…

PP Ed’s Blog: NI Piper of the Year/ SPA 1999/ Pipe Bands Australia

The Northern Ireland Piper of the Year contest takes place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, tomorrow. The piobaireachd starts at 12 noon and the MSR at 7pm. All are welcome. Judges are Angus MacColl and David Caldwell and the hosts Kenny Stewart and Chris Stewart. In the PP archive picture above a youthful Angus is photographed through the window performing at the now unfortunately defunct John MacFadyen…

PP Ed’s Blog: South Florida Academy/ History Pic/ Fred Morrison Recital/ Cardenden Tune

Noah Morrissette of the South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy: Hello, I hope everyone has had an outstanding summer and competition season…unless you’re in South Florida. Competition season in Florida takes place during the winter and spring months. The South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is five full days of world-class pipe and drum instruction. In the past we have had the academy run from Wednesday to Sunday. This has…

North America’s 35th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition

One of North America’s leading amateur competitions, the 35th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition, was held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in the First Reformed Church of Scotia, Scotia, NY. Judges: Ian K. MacDonald, Whitby, Ontario, Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia and Ben McClamrock, Baltimore, Maryland. Master of Ceremonies: Donald F. Lindsay and Daniel Cole. Overall Nicol-Brown Championship 1. ALISTAIR BEVAN (21 points) Prizes: air fare to compete in London in November 2018, sponsored by the…

Manorcunningham Celebrate Successful Year and Are Now Recruiting

John Kelly reports….After a year out in 2016, Manorcunningham Pipe Band made a welcome return to the Grade 2 pipe band competition arena in 2017 picking up an amazing 41 trophies in a most successful year. To celebrate this success the band held a celebratory dinner in the Arena 7 Restaurant, Letterkenny on Saturday 7th October.  Earlier in the day the band members gathered in the band’s practice hall in Manorcunningham village for what…