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Contest held in grounds of castle  

Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell

FOR the 26th consecutive year the North Down Pipe Band Championships took place in Bangor Castle Grounds, and although, because of the holidays, the number of entries of competing bands were down, there was still a good turn out and a large crowd of supporters.

The Mayor of North Down Councillor Alan Graham was Chieftain of the Day and in his speech at the end of the event praised the association for their organisation of a once again successful competition.

There was no change in the leader board in Grade 2 as Ballycoan again claimed first place, with Cullybackey winning best drums. Woodgrange took the top honours in both piping and drumming in Grade 3A; Finvoy was first in 3B and Altnaveigh 1st in both piping and drumming in 4A. Cleland Memorial won 1st in 4B on piping preference with Manorcunningham winning best drums.

It was a double triumph for the Coffey family as Leading Tip Richard Coffey Junior of Grade 3A Woodgrange and Richard Coffey Senior of Grade 4A Altnaveigh both led their drum corps to victory.

At the Finale, all the bands played Amazing Grace instead of Highland Laddie, and judging by the number of comments afterwards, many would be in favour of making this change permanent.

The calendar of piping events for the rest of the season is as follows: British Championship in Ayr on 27 July; North West Championships in Portrush 3 August; World Championships 10 August in Glasgow; Heart O 'Down Championships in Newcastle 17 August; Ulster Championships in Londonderry 24 August; Cowal Highland Gathering Dunoon 31 August.

One date well worth noting is Wednesday 7 August when the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will be appearing at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

The Newtownstewart Highland Games are holding their 4th Annual Outdoor solo piping and 1st Annual Outdoor Drumming and Piobaireachd competitions on Saturday 7 September 2002.

Closing date for entries is 17 August and forms can be obtained from Clive McFarland, 10 Hillview Villas, Ardstraw, Newtownstewart, Co. T y r o n e B T 7 8 4JL.Telephone number (Home) 9066 9591 (Mobile) 077 1469 6522

The Northern _Ireland Branch of the RSPBA deeply regret the sad news of the sudden death of Raymond Fitzpatrick. Raymond was a well-known drummer with Annsborough Pipe band and the sympathy of the association is extended to his family circle.
 

Ulster Star
26/07/2002