Steven is crowned world drumming champion
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
STEVEN McWhirter originally from Ahoghill, but who now lives in Vancouver Canada and plays with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, won the senior world drumming championship title last Saturday in Monkstown High School.
Steven, who came into the championships as the 2006 All Ireland reigning champion, had points to spare when he defeated the defending and 16 times world champion Jim Kilpatrick. An emotional Steven was seemingly overwhelmed with his victory and was given huge applause from the Northern Ireland crowd who cheered him on his fantastic victory.
In an amazing evening of drumming, held for the first time in Northern Ireland, two of the remaining three titles were won by Ulster drummers.
Chris McNicholl from Bleary Pipe Band took the title in the Juvenile section 3, and Gareth McLees from North Belfast Pipe Band won the Juvenile section 2. Grant Cassidy from North Lanarkshire Schools band was the winner of the juvenile section 1.
Other Ulster names to feature in the prize list were J. Hoy from Cullybackey, and Aaron McClean from Bleary.
Results:
Juvenile section 1 - lst. G.Cassidy. 2nd. S.Shedden. 3rd. C. Ward. 4th. B.Archibald. 5th. S.Henderson. 6th. A.Middleton.
Juvenile section 2 - 1st. G.McLees. 2nd. M.McKenna. 3rd. S.Ogilvie. 4th. A.McClean. 5th. B. Hamilton. 6th. C.Brown.
Juvenile section 3 - 1st. C.McNicholl. 2nd. C.Lawrie. 3rd. W.Quinn. 4th. J.Hoy. 5th. J.Craig. 6th. F. Bruce.
Senior - 1st. S.McWhirter. 2nd. J.Kilpatrick. 3rd. E.Ward. 4th. G.Brown. 5th. B. Wilson. 6th. B. Brown.
The Annual General Meeting of the Northern Ireland branch of the RSPBA will take place on Saturday November 11 commencing at 11am in the Bridge Community Centre Lisburn. All representatives are urged not to miss this important event.
Grade 1 Ballycoan Pipe Band have started a junior band under the leadership of Pipe Major Brian Rea. Brian was originally the Pipe Major of the Grade 1 band before he handed the reins over to his son Alfie.
Brian, who lectures at the Northern Ireland Piping School, is delighted with the response so far and hopes to have this junior band out in the competition arena in the near future.
It's 'Happy Birthday' to Charlie Duncan who celebrated his 81st birthday recently. He was greeted with applause when he attended the recent branch meeting in Lisburn.
Charlie is well known in the pipe band scene and is a dedicated supporter of the Northern Ireland Branch. We wish him many more birthdays still to come.
The Belvoir Drum Majors class is looking for Mace Poles of all sizes for its pupils. If anyone has a Pole that they are no longer using then Ronnie Davidson, the class secretary, would be delighted to take it from you and put to good use.
Also Belvoir Parish Church Family Centre are holding a 'Child-Protection' training night for all those working with children and young people to make sure everyone is up to date with the new regulations.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday November 7 at 8.15 pm in the Family Centre. It is important that all leaders attend and keep up to date with all aspects of the Child Protection Policy.
The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA is saddened to learn of the death of well known piper and teacher Harry Denyer, who died in hospital last week. Sincere sympathy is extended to his family and friends.
Ulster Star
03/11/2006
