News Archive
29th March 2008
Malahide cancelled & Banbridge date changed
The Malahide competition with was due to take place on Saturday 17th May has been cancelled for this season. The Banbridge Indoor Championships has therefore been moved a week later to this date. This year the competition will be held outdoors at Banbridge High School. This will give bands a run out before the 1st Major of the year.
7th March 2008
We bid farewell to Aaron Turkington who was a tenor drummer with the band from 1997.
Turkey has taken a break from the pipe band world. We wish him every success in his new projects and maybe someday we shall see him back again?
27th February 2008
The winter months of 2007/08 has seen several changes within the ranks of the Ravara membership, we’re expanding!
Up front, the pipe core has gained Stephen Montgomery, moving from Upper Crossgare; Michael Nelson moving from Cullybackey; Elizabeth Sloane moving from Raffrey; Stephen Whitten moving from Alberta, Canada (we’re going world wide!); and young Scott Barr is coming home after plying his trade in the contest arena with Raffrey for two seasons, gaining valuable experience. Scott will be able to keep his auld fella in check now!
In the engine room the only change in personnel is the addition of Sam Moore moving from North Belfast to bolster the tenor section. This slightly eases the pressure on the Bass man who previously held the crown of being the eldest member in the band’s ranks, though he still looks it!
At the back end (how apt!), the drum core is also expanding, and the same could be said for quite a few of their waist lines too! The core has gained Jonathan Irvine, moving from Upper Crossgare; George Haddock and Gary Moore both moving from North Belfast.
A very warm welcome to all the new personnel and we’re sure that you’ll enjoy your time in Ravara.
Finally, we have one retirement to report due to old age! The Band Manager, Alan Taggart, has declared that he is out of puff and has opted for a career change.
We would like to thank Mr.T for all his hard work behind the scenes and wish him well in his future endeavours whatever they may be.
13th February 2008New CD features local piper Willie Garrett
A new CD is coming out next month which celebrates the unique history and landscape of the Lecale area of County Down. ‘This corner of Lecale: a journey round St Patrick’s country’ is an album of songs and music from Downpatrick based singer-songwriter Laura Plummer, featuring local folk group ‘The Pluckin’ Squeezers’ with whom she sings, the other members of which are Willie Garrett and Adele Ingram- Magee both based in Killyleagh.
They are joined by guest musicians Declan Plummer (uilleann pipes, whistles, keyboard and bodhran), Rosie Marr (Irish harp), and poet Olive Broderick , whose poem ‘Patrick’s Dream’ is featured on the CD. Local traditional group The Crocknafedly Meddlers join the line-up on the final track.
Willie Garrett can be heard playing Scottish small pipes and whistles on most of the tracks and one of his own compositions, an air entitled ‘Winter Snows’ is also featured on the album.
Laura said:
‘It has been really wonderful to work with Willie – not only is he a sensitive and technically gifted piper and musician and a great composer but he is a really nice guy – and great craic. I’m looking forward to doing the next proper ‘Squeezers’ CD with him and Adele as this one was really more of my own project. Hopefully we can collaborate on another song or two as well.’
The Pluckin’ Squeezers were formed only a year ago but are becoming well known in the County Down folk circuit. As for the name, it’s a bit of a mouthful but says Laura
‘It does what it says on the tin – most of the instruments we play – at least the pipes, guitars, banjo and concertina are either plucked or squeezed – honest!’
Willie said:
'I played with killyleagh Silver band before turning to the dark side. I was taught to play pipes by my uncle in Raffery pipeband then played for 20 years in the Field Marshal Montgomery. Now I play with Ravara if get any time to practice!!
You could say I have spent time drinking in a kilt! I've met some strange and intersting people at sessions especially at the Dufferin Arms in Killyleagh which is where I met Adele and Laura originally and just last year we had a chemical reaction in a sort of molecular way and The Pluckin' Squeezers was born.
World domination to follow!!'
The CD will be on sale at the St Patrick’s Centre following the launch on 8 March. The Pluckin’ Squeezers will be playing on the Festival Stage in Downpatrick on St Patrick’s Day around mid-day.
Listen to some tracks on: www.myspace.com/thepluckinsqueezers
01st February 2008
Scott Barr, one of the rising stars on the pipe band scene added another title to his Under 14 All Ireland Championship by winning 'Young Musician of the Year' for Northern Ireland in the Under 12 Section of the Boys' Brigade.
He was up against 37 other competitors, playing a variety of different instruments and the competition was judged by the Head of the Music department of Carrickfergus College.
Scott who has been taught by Pipe Major Samuel Connolly, hopes to play with Ravara Pipe Band this season with his father after having one year behind him with Raffrey.
Congratulations & keep up the good work.
|
Banbridge Championships 17th May 2008 |
|
| Grade |
Winners |
| 1 |
n/a |
| 2 | |
| 3A | |
| 3B | |
| 4A | |
| 4B | |
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Last modified: 25 April 2008