The pipe band season is now in full swing and here is a round up of events so far. On Saturday June 28th the Antrim & Newtownabbey Championships took place in Antrim’s beautiful Castle Gardens. Whilst there wasn’t wall to wall sunshine, it was extremely hot. The highlight of the day was always going to be the appearance of the Field Marshal Montgomery (front rank pictured above) under its new…

It was unfortunate that after weeks of beautiful weather it should break just when the 2025 pipe band season got underway at the County Fermanagh Championships in Enniskillen. Not all bands or drum majors experienced the inclement weather, but that was really by good fortune.  The adjudication panel were Willie Garrett and Richard Parkes MBE (Piping), Gordon Parkes (Drumming), Mark Wilson (Ensemble), David Brownlee and Alicia Dickson Hamilton. Ravara, on…

The RSPBANI Branch Executive Committee is threatening to suspend bands over the late return of trophies. A significant number, including some from previous years, have yet to be returned. The committee expressed particular concern over memorial trophies, which hold deep sentimental value for the families or bands who have generously donated them. These trophies are intended to be presented annually, and failure to return them undermines the respect and recognition…