Pipes and Drums: Carlisle shows class to land Piper of Year award

Saturday, October 13, 2007

By Mervyn McConnell

Fourteen pipers competed from both the North and South of Ireland and the "Piper of the Year" award was won by Alen Tully from Dublin, the Pipe Sergeant of St.Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band. Runners up were Jonathan Greenlees and Kris Coyle

The winner of the Piobaireachd section was Andrew Carlisle with second and third places going to the impressive Alistair Murray and Jonathan Greenlees.

The Hornpipe and Jig competition was won by Ashley McMichael with Kevin Rodgers in runner up place.

Guest adjudicator Roddy MacLeod finished off the evening with a brilliant recital, which deservedly won the applause of all present.

The other guest adjudicator was Lennie Brown who several years ago also won the "Piper of the Year" award.

A new era has begun for Banbridge Pipe Band with the recent election of the youngest pipe major in its 55-year old history.

Nineteen-year-old Leigh Anderson from Dromore, was formally appointed to the top role at the band's recent annual general meeting in Ballymoney Orange Hall.

He succeeds Alan Gourley, who has been in the role of Pipe Major for the last 12 years, and who will continue to pipe in the band.

Leigh said: "I'm delighted to have been elected to this prestigious position and I'm thoroughly relishing the challenge in the years ahead."

Alan, who was presented with an engraved watch to mark his long service as piper and pipe major said: " Leigh will be a fantastic asset and he has already made a major impression as the band begins its preparations for the 2008 contest season in Grade 3A."

There was an excellent attendance at the meeting where greetings were conveyed from another former pipe major Walter Porter, who is currently in hospital. Members, officials and guests extended to Walter, an esteemed vice-president best wishes for a speedy recovery.

President Will Lyons, also an ex pipe major of Banbridge, handed over the Hillhouse trophy to the 2007 winner Ian Gourley.

This award goes to the person who has made an exceptional contribution to Banbridge Pipe Band.

Ian joined the band as a 10-year-old lad more than 40 years ago and was made the leading drummer at the age of 14.

Among his early protégés were Eric Ward and Lee Lawson, both of whom have gone on to achieve success in solo work and with Grade 1 bands in Scotland.

Vice-president Joe McComb, a former drummer in the band, conducted the election of officers as follows: -

Pipe Major- Leigh Anderson; Pipe Sergeant- Neil Russell; Drum Sergeant-Keith Gourley; President-Will Lyons; Chairman-Gary McDonald; vice-chairman-Neil Russell; secretary-Keith Gourley; assistant-Tony Hillen; Treasurer-Gary McDowell; assistant- David Ervine.

The band currently has vacancies for tenor drummers for next season, either experienced players or enthusiastic learners.

A full tuition programme has been arranged for the coming months.

Anyone interested in joining should contact Keith Gourley on 07793 979 876 or 028 4062 3222

Thanks to Gary McDonald for this report. The Mid-Ulster section of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band association held their annual general meeting recently at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.

This section organises the longest running competition in the pipe band calendar in Northern Ireland, which always attracts a large entry of pipe bands and drum majors.

Elected members for the incoming year are: President - Cllr Samuel Glasgow; Vice-President - Milton Thom, Trevor Wilson and Norman Bell; Chairman – Alex Crooks; Vice-chairman - Alastair Patterson; Secretary – Mrs Gloria Aicken; Assistant secretary - Alastair Patterson; Treasurer - John Gilmour; Public Relations Officer - Still to be filled; Trophy Officer - Mrs Gladys Cardwell; Ass trophy officer - Malcolm Wilson. Auditor - Errol Hassin.

Representative to the N.I.Branch Executive: Alex Crooks.

Committee: Lowry Ferguson, Errol Hassin, Gladys Cardwell, Malcolm Wilson, Ashley Hassin, Jonathan Hassin, Carl Stirrup, Desmond McLaughlin, Willie Bowman, Alan Ferguson and Jeff Hamilton.

If any band, solo piper, drummer or drum major, has news of events they are involved with in the coming months and would like to share this with other pipe band enthusiasts in the Ireland's Saturday Night then contact Mervyn McConnell by phone 02890 205317 or email: mervyn_mcconnell@hotmail.com