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Scottish Championships
Forget the ash cloud, the election and the world cup…the pipe band season’s back with a bang! What a contest, fantastic weather and a chance to get the new players out for their first Major experience with the band. There was even Royalty in our midst (more on that later).
All the players were at Larne early, well almost all - Stuart slept in! Picture the scene, he comes out of the house with his uniform, drum, a holdall...and his shirt on a hanger still wet from the washing machine…will married life sort this man out? On to the boat and a chance to catch up with folk you haven’t spoken to since Portrush and also a chance for Geoff to buy me a breakfast, but to no avail although to be fair he did buy me a cold coffee.
Already it was setting itself up to be a really warm day so thoughts were on the preparation and what effect the weather would have on the pipes. Ravara were drawn to play just after 3pm so there was a chance to have wander round and get a bite to eat before the work started. As draw time drew closer the sun got stronger but the shade of the trees kept things cool till performance time. The Highland Wedding set was drawn and all the winters work was put to the test; the band played well and Samuel was very happy with how the pipe corps handled the event. Neil was pleased the first big contest for the new drum corps had gone well and his hope of getting in among the prizes was a real possibility.
Grampian Police picked up first place with Seven Towers just pipping Ravara to second spot. Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Buchan and Williamwood made up the remainder of the top six with Buchan taking the drumming prize. Congratulations and well done to the winners. In Grade 1, Field Marshal Montgomery retained their Scottish title with Boghall and Bathgate, Shotts and Dykehead, St Laurence O’Toole, ScottishPower and Strathclyde Police following them. Shotts won the drumming.
Ravara’s Emma Barr came in fourth in the Novice grade Drum Major championships – congratulations and well done Emma!
Oh yes, the Royaly thing….there was another contest this weekend. The night before the Pipe Band championships, Sarah Moore was crowned Ballyclare May Fair Queen. On the journey home from Dumbarton band members were invited to steal a kiss from Sarah as tradition has it….last we saw Sarah she was running back up the motorway…
For full results check the RSPBA web site. More on the Scottish Championshop to follow soon.
Draw for the British Championships
Ravara have been drawn No. 14.at 15.27 for the British Championships to be held on Saturday 26th June 2010. For the full draw for all grades see the RSPBA web site.
Balmoral Show 2010
The Band was on duty again at ‘The Show’ in the Balmoral Showgrounds on Wednesday 12th May.
Events were running behind on the day due to the attendance of HRH Prince Charles at Balmoral, but we eventually made it onto the main arena to entertain at 8pm.
Thanks again to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society for their kind invitation to participate, and thanks to all band members who made the effort as this provides an invaluable contribution to band funds.
This engagement also enabled the youth of Thomas Connolly and Mark Whitten to make their debuts with the band. The lads have been working hard over the winter months to get to this stage, and they will also be making their contest debuts along with Aaron Connolly when they guest with McNeillstown Academy at Enniskillen. All the best…..
Draw for the Scottish Championships
Ravara have been drawn No. 15 for the Scottish Championships to be held on Saturday 22nd May 2010. For the full draw for all grades see the RSPBA website.
Contest Season Already…..
Another winters practice is over and its time to enter the contest arena again as the 2010 season kicks off at a new venue in Banbridge, Solitude Park.
The Ravara ranks have been strengthened with the addition of new personnel and we would like to formally welcome them to the Band and trust that they will enjoy their time with us.
Laura McWhirter joins the Pipe Core from Inverary & District.
Neil Ussher returns home after a loan spell at Upper Crossgare to take on Lead Tip.
Matthew Shaw & Phillip Wilson join the Drum Core, both coming from Upper Crossgare.
Daryl Lawson also joins the Drum Core, transferring from Killeen.
Neil Montgomery joins the Tenor Section, transferring from Cottown.
And finally, Joanne Ussher returns to the tenor section after spending the entire 2009 season partying !!
Congratulations…..I Think !
Stephen Whitten and Michael Nelson have joined that illustrious club by tying the knot earlier this year.
Stephen being tight with the cash stayed very local whilst in pursuit of his future wife, whereas Michael being flash jetted over to Middlesbrough to drag his woman back to Coagh !
The Officers and Members of Ravara wish you both and your good ladies every happiness, and may you receive God’s richest blessing in your lives together.
Burn’s Night
Burn's Night was celebrated in Ballygowan Village Hall on Saturday 23th January 2010. This event, in aid of band funds was again the foresight of Marion McCloy who undertook the mantle of organizer. An Auld Tyme Dance was the entertainment for the evening with the music being provided by Sammy Miskelly.
A big thank you to all those who provided sandwiches and pastry, and the very generous array of prizes for the ballot.
Special thanks to Marion McCloy, Ruthie Craig, and their team for all their assistance in making this event such a success.
Free Bus Pass for Sam, Geordie..and Dean !
During the winter months a couple of the band’s more senior members announced their retirement and now can be seen travelling the length and breadth of the country on Ulsterbus.
Sam Moore and Geordie Haddock have hung up their sticks and now can be found sitting in front of the fire on Monday and Thursday nights. As for Dean Falloon, although not far off the Free Bus Pass age, he put in a transfer request to move up north to the sunny village of Cullybackey. Dean, being a scouser follower, hasn’t got too much going for him at the minute, but we hope that all is going well for you at the ‘Backey’.
Its always sad when players move on but these lads will surely be missed as they were truely part of the family by their attendance and commitment to the band. We hope all is well, and don’t forget that you are always welcome.
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