Belfast bags European competition
SOME good news for the local pipe band fraternity with the announcement this week that Belfast is to host the European Pipe Band Championships for a three-year period.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) has confirmed Belfast City Council's bid to host the championships from 2010 through to 2012 has been successful.
Belfast will no doubt be hoping to repeat the success of the European Championships which were held in Lisburn this year.
A turnout of more than 100 bands and drum majors attracted huge spectator interest to the city, bringing a welcome financial boost to local businesses.
It is estimated that the competition will attract around 90 top class international pipe bands from all over the world, bringing with them more than 25,000 competitors and spectators, and generating more than 1.3 million for the Belfast economy each year.
George Ussher, president of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, congratulated Belfast on the success of their bid.
"I am thrilled that the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has been invited to hold the European Pipe Band Championships in Belfast 2010 to 2012," he said.
"I would congratulate Belfast City Council on the success of their bid and their support for the piping community. I look forward to bringing the very best pipe bands in the world to Belfast for these events, and know they will enjoy a warm welcome and some wonderful hospitality from the city of Belfast".
Attracting the European Championships to Belfast will go some way to easing the disappointment after the city lost out to Glasgow in a bid to host the World Pipe Band Championships earlier this year.
Hosting the European competition is the perfect opportunity for Belfast to show that it is capable of hosting these events and may be a bid for the premier pipe band event could be launched when its comes up for bidding in the future.
n Barry Wilson successfully defended his World Solo Drumming title in Glasgow last weekend.
The Andante-sponsored event took place in Glasgow Caledonia University last Saturday with more than 200 drummers competing in Juvenile 1, 2, 3 and Adult World Solo Champions, with the Adult final playing to a sold-out audience in the auditorium.
Wilson, who is the leading drummer of Scottish Power, saw off the challenge of Jim Kilpatrick (House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead) and Steven McWhirter (Inverary and District) to retain the title he won for the first time 12 months ago.
Wilson keeps the title after gaining most points over March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe and Jig events.
Also playing in the final, but not making the prize lists, were William Glenholmes, Cullybackey; Aaron McCarten, Ravara; Chris McNicholl, Strathclyde Police; Gavin Noade, Field Marshal Montgomery; Derek Cooper, SFU, and Gordon Lee, SFU.
Result: 1st, Barry Wilson, Scottish Power; 2nd, Jim Kilpatrick, House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead; 3rd, Steven McWhirter, Inveraray and District; 4th, Gordon Brown, Boghall and Bathgate; 5th, Eric Ward, Strathclyde Police; 6th, Reid Maxwell, Simon Fraser University.
In the juvenile competitions, there were wins for Grant Cassidy (House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead) in section 1, Steven Shedden (Boghall and Bathgate) in section 2 and Craig Brown (Boghall and Bathgate) in section 3.
Gransha's Blake McVeigh competed in section 2 and was unfortunate not to take the title after the section finished in a three-way tie.
Blake tied on five points with Billy Archibald and eventual winner Steven Shedden, however the prize went to Steven on adjudicator's preference.
n A few weeks ago I brought information regarding the possible movement of Torphichen and Bathgate and Bagad Cap Caval from grade two to grade one.
This, along with all regradings for the 2009 season, has been confirmed this week after a meeting of the RSPBA's National Council.
There are a lot of Northern Ireland bands moving up and down the grades, this has been made public now that all bands have been notified of the changes.
Four local bands – Augharonan, Cullenfad, McNeilstown and Raffrey – have all been elevated from grade 3B to 3A.
Grade 4A world champions Colmcille have been promoted to 3B along with Manorcunningham from Co Donegal.
Cleland Memorial from Bangor are also on the move following a very good season. The band has had an influx of youth in recent years and will compete in grade 4A next year.
Three local bands are moving down the grades. Banbridge will drop from 3A to 3B, Sgt Walker Memorial from 3B to 4A and Saintfield from 4A to 4B.
A comprehensive list of all regradings for the 2009 season is available on the Tartan Talk section of the website at www.newsletter.co.uk .
n Seven Towers Pipe Band is promoting a solo piping competition with a difference in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, next Saturday.
Ten top solo piper have been assembled and will compete against each other in a competition which will be judged by the audience.
Starting at 8pm, the event will see each piper play for 15 minutes, with their main aim being to entertain the crowd.
I am told substantial cash prizes are up for grabs for the winning pipers on what promises to be a great night's entertainment.
Seven Towers are also looking for a new bass drummer. Any interested individual can contact Pipe Major David Reid on 07869 153 680.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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