Tartan Talk: Condolences expressed after death of Drum Major Gloria Aicken
The RSPBA NI Branch’s executive committee has expressed its condolences on the passing of Drum Major Gloria Aicken and send their thoughts and prayers to her husband Brian, mother May, brother Alastair, and the family circle at this sad time.
Andrew Graham, branch chairperson, said: “Gloria started drum majoring at a young age, a hobby she shared with her older brother Alastair.
"She was Drum Major with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and won numerous competitions, including the Juvenile World Championship in 1993.
"An adjudicator since 2007 she officiated locally and nationally, including the Worlds with her brother Alastair Patterson.
"The funeral was held on Wednesday morning with donations to the Northern Ireland Hospice, c/o Bobby Morrisons 32-34 Hillsborough Road, Lisburn BT28 1AQ or via website: www.nihospice.org.”
Ardmore Solos results
Last weekend the Ardmore Solo Piping competition took place at the village of Ardmore, County Waterford.
Ten top class solo pipers took part and the winner for the third time in four years was Connor Sinclair, who won both the MSR and Medley sections.
The action started on the Friday night with the 50 & Over Medley, which was held in the Round Tower Hotel.
Six pipers competed and the adjudicator who was Liz Tubbs, who decided as follows: 1st Peter Donnan, 2nd Glenn Cupples, 3rd Christy Bromell.
The remaining competitions were held on the Saturday at St Declan’s Village Hall, and the results were as follows:
Adult: MSR: 1st Connor Sinclair, 2nd Willie McCallum, 3rd Angus D. MacColl, 4th Callum Beaumont, and 5th James Frazer. Slow Air: Angus D. MacColl. Medley: 1st Connor Sinclair, 2nd Callum Beaumont, 3rd Alen Tully, 4th Willie McCallum, 5th Angus D. MacColl, Slow Air: Alen Tully. Judges: Len Browne, Dr. Angus MacDonald and Ronan Maguire.
14 and Under March: 1st Emilia Tully, 2nd Ben Cardy, 3rd Tadhg Spillane. Piobaireachd Ground: 1st Alex Tully, 2nd Emilia Tully, 3rd Tadhg Spillane. Judge: Finlay Johnston. Practice Chanter March: 1st Freya Tully, 2nd Scott Hamilton, 3rd Cillian Terry.
Liddell & McWhirter at the Burnavon
Cloughfin Pipe Band celebrate their centenary at The Burnavon Theatre on Saturday, May 9.
Their special guests will be Stuart Liddell (pipe major) and Steven McWhirter (lead drummer) from the Inveraray & District Pipe Band.
Stuart and Steven are no strangers to Northern Ireland having participated individually and together or with their band numerous times.
Steven McWhirter is returning to his homeland having recently won the inaugural Master Drummers competition and just returned from Canada were he won the RSPBA Pacific Rim Solo Drumming Championships.
Tickets are on sale now at http://www.burnavon.com/.../cloughfin-pipe-band.../129651220
A new website for the RSPBA
The RSPBA parent body have launched a new website which I must say is a considerable improvement on the previous one and well worth having a prolonged look at.
Designed with their members, bands, adjudicators, event organisers and supporters in mind, the new site offers improved functionality with faster performance, streamlined features, and better access to key information.
Easier navigation means that whatever information you’re looking for can be found quickly with a clearer, more intuitive layout.
There is much more information with expanded resources, new content, competition details, results, news updates, and important documents all in one place.
For businesses, there are advertising opportunities – and I understand that there is a special introductory rate.
Major Championship – Entry Information – Drum Majors
As part of the RSPBA website upgrade, the system for entering Drum Majors has also been updated.
Drum Major entries are now completed on an individual basis via the following link: https://rspba.org/drum-major-championship-entries/.
When submitting an entry, the following information will be required in order to assign the correct competition category: Band Number (Band Secretary can provide this), Member Number (Band Secretary can provide this, alternatively enter 000000) and Date of Birth.
Major Championship – Entry Information - Bands
All Band Secretaries should have received an e-mail recently with information on the entry process on the new RSPBA website. Please remember to check your junk mail folder.
If you have not received this e-mail, please contact [email protected] to advise the correct e-mail address.
Entries can now be accessed via: https://rspba.org/band-management/
Band Secretaries should register their band on the portal using the same e-mail address as on RSPBA records.
Once your account has been registered you will be able to register your band for the new season and enter competitions.
Where bus parking is controlled by the RSPBA, this will also be added to the portal and made available for booking and payment through the same system.
Major Championship – Entry Closing Time
All championship entries will now close at 12 noon [UK time] on the advertised closing date.
The RSPBA would strongly encourage bands to complete their entries well in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
If you have any problems please contact [email protected].