| Ravara | News

The members of Ravara wish all our supporters a very Happy New Year & all the best for the 2009 season ahead.

"Happy Sammy" hit the BIG 40 mark recently. We may be late but it has not went unnoticed!!!!

Barry Wilson of the Grade 1 ScottishPower Pipe Band won his second consecutive RSPBA World Solo Drumming Championship by gaining most aggregate points over a March, Strathspey & Reel and Honrpipe & Jig events. Wilson was third in the MSR and won the HP&J.

Overall
1st Barry Wilson, Scottish Power
2nd Jim Kilpatrick, House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
3rd Steven McWhirter, Inveraray & District
4th Gordon Brown, Boghall & Bathgate
5th Eric Ward, Strathclyde Police
6th Reid Maxwell, Simon Fraser University

MSR
1st Gordon Brown
2nd Eric Ward
3rd Barry Wilson
4th Jim Kilpatrick
5th Reid Maxwell
6th Steven McWhirter
Judges: Alistair Aitken, Jim Baxter, Joe Noble, Gordon Parkes

Hornpipe & Jig
1st Barry Wilson
2nd Steven McWhirter
3rd Jim Kilpatrick
4th Reid Maxwell
5th Gordon Brown
6th Eric Ward
Judges: Gordon Craig, Greg Dinsdale,Jim Hutton, Ciaran Mordaunt.

Also playing in the final but not making the lists were Derek Cooper, SFU; William Glenholmes, Cullybackey; Gordon Lee, SFU; Aaron McCarten, Ravara; Chris McNicholl, Strathclyde Police; and Gavin Noade, Field Marshal Montgomery

Congratulations to Alan and Caroline Brooks on the new arrival of their 2nd son.

James Samuel who was born on Tuesday 14th October 2008 weighing in at 8lbs 3ozs.

That's two new additions for the back row, no doubt they will start their trade in the 25th Boys' Brigade band first though!

Scott won the U-15 young piper of the year at Dungannon Rugby club on Friday night. Another strong performace has been rewarded with one more title to add to his growing collection.

Young Barr is on a real winning streak at the minute, and no wonder as he never puts his pipes down. Obviously he gets his musical ability from his mother! Sorry Alan......

Bryson wasn’t allowed out at the weekend as there was great concern that he might polish off all the Apple Juice in Dublin!

Elizabeth Sloane was the Big Man’s understudy, and after her outstanding performance in the Helix Theatre the producers have a major dilemma on their hands; who makes the casting for the Millenium Forum in Londonderry this week ?!

Apparently Bryser has been practicing hard over the weekend and hopes to regain his position, and with Liz up to her neck in textbooks from University, it looks likely that Strongbow is going to get the nod!

The 15th William Kennedy Piping Festival will be held 13 - 16 November 2008 in the Market Place Theatre Armagh, in Northern Ireland. The festival features some of the top bagpipe instrumentalists and bands in Europe and North America.

- Bagad Cap Caval (Brittany) - This will be the biggest band to ever play at the festival with 38 members!

- Lúnasa featuring Kevin Crawford, Sean Smyth, Cillian Vallely, Paul Meehan & Trevor Hutchinson

- Beòlach featuring Wendy MacIsaac, Mairi Rankin, Ryan MacNeil, Mac Morin & Patrick Gillis (Cape Breton)

The RSPBA's Music Board has recommended that Torphichen & Bathgate of Scotland and Bagad Cap Caval of Brittany should be promoted to Grade 1, pending approval by the RSPBA's National Council.

Torphichen & Bathgate won the Champion of Champions title in Grade 2 in 2008, winning three major championships. The band also secured the Grade 2 Champion of Champions Drumming award for most overall points across the five major championships.

Bagad Cap Caval won the Grade 2 event at the World Pipe Band Championships. It is the first Breton band to be officially recognized by the RSPBA as Grade 1.

The Torphichen upgrade would bring the number of Grade 1 bands based in Scotland to 10.

The Pipe Major, accompanied by Ian Bryson and David Cleland are currently appearing on the big stage!

Yip, they are starring in ‘ON Eagle's Wing’, the powerful musical story of 18th century Ulster-Scots emigration to America. The trio appear along side the likes of Ulster born International singer Peter Corry, Scotland’s leading folk singer and actor Alyth McCormack, BJ Hogg (Big Merv) and Paddy Jenkins (Pastor Bigbie) of ‘Give my head Peace’ fame, and of course that World famous broadcaster and ‘Rock and Roller’, George Jones!!!

The musical, written by award-winning composer John Anderson, has already completed its tour of Belfast, running 8 performances in the Grand Opera House from Monday 29th September to Saturday 4th October. The tour has just passed the half way mark in terms of performances, but the real touring is just about to commence with the show taking in two more major Irish venues. It will be presented at The Helix, Dublin on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October, and in the Millennium Forum, Londonderry from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th October.

’On Eagles’ Wing’ is named after the first emigrant vessel out of Ulster to the United States in 1636, The Eagle Wing, which sailed from Groomsport in Co Down. The show is a parallel of modern-day and historic events reflecting themes of universal significance. The epic tale explores 400 years of the Scots-Irish Presbyterian odyssey from humble beginnings in the Lowlands of Scotland via Ulster to the brave new world of America.

Ravara’s trio take part in the finale of the show playing with the live orchestra, Robert Watt and Kim Lawson on pipes, Mark Wilson on side drum, all accompanied with the vocals of the entire cast. Don’t blink or you’ll miss them!

Scott Barr was the only member of Ravara to compete at the All-Ireland Solo's held in Rathfriland High School last Saturday.

He competed in the Under 14 Piping class and was defending his All-Ireland title which he won in Dublin in 2007.

Scott triumphed again taking 1st place in this class, and, he still has another two seasons competing at this level.

This just goes to show what an achievment this is for the young lad from Ravara.

Andrew Carlisle of Field Marshal Montgomery won the Senior piping prize with Jonathan Greenless in 2nd place & Allen Tully from SLOT in 3rd place.

Stephen Creighton won the Senior drumming prize with Steven McWhirter in 2nd place. For full results see the link above.

Ravara's Nigel Anderson (drummer) married Kathryn Mattison on Friday 12th September in Poyntzpass Presbyterian Church. Ander's friend Neil Pinkerton (Pinky, also a drummer in the band) carried out the duties of Usher perfectly. The service was attended by some members of the band & others followed later to the reception which was held in Brownlow House, Lurgan.

It was a fantastic day all round & it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

The band wishes to congratulate Anders & Kat the very very best for their future lives together.

Ravara travelled to the big smoke on Saturday, that’s right, Portglenone. We were invited to participate in the 9th ‘Gig ‘n the Bann’ cross cultural music festival right on the banks of the River Bann.

An AMAZING thing happened on Saturday, the SUN SHONE ALL DAY, not a speck of rain in sight.

Pipe Major Davy Reid from the Seven Towers Pipe Band overseen the running of the Pipe Band competition with around 20 Bands from across the province competing, plus the ever dependable Thiepval Memorial band from Convoy, Co. Donegal, who seem to be everywhere, their coach must be on tour every weekend, its great to see such enthusiasm.

Bands were graded into 4 sections, but it was hard to tell who was in each, as many of the bands played twice taking the opportunity to pitch their skills against higher graded bands. This was particularly evident with ‘slavedriver’ Pipe Major Darren Frew puttinghis McNeillstown band through their paces several times during the day, proving to be fruitful with at least 3 trophies heading home with them to add to their 2008 collection.

The judging panel contained local faces but not ones that you normally associate with the pen and clipboard in the arena. They were Mark Falloon (FMM), David Middleton (FMM), Harold Brownlow (Pipe Sergeant of McNeillstown about 10 years ago), and Stephen McWhirter (SFU, Current World Solo Drumming Champion native to Cullybackey). I noticed that there was No writing on Mark’s sheet, apparently he couldn’t get the predictive text to work on his clipboard ! I hope he’s not judging next year !

A relaxed (horizontal) and enjoyable atmosphere was the form for the day and the ‘Gig’ competition came to a close with a wee dander up the town for all the bands. In the true spirit of the festival Ravara joined forces with Seven Towers for the return leg of the parade creating a massed band; we even managed to play a 6/8 March that we both
knew !

A big thankyou to the ‘Gig’ committee for the invitation and we’ll hopefully see you there again next year.

Next outing is at Anders wedding on Friday. Its not too late yet Kathryn!!!!!!!!!

Many congratulations to Aaron & Suzanne McCarten on the arrival of their 2nd son, baby Benjamin Aled McCartan, born at 11:45 pm on 27th August 2008, weighing 6lb 8 oz.

Some of the band helped Aaron to celebrate with a glass of bubbly whilst at the parade in Dromore which helped a few people get into the spirit!!

So that's two future recruits for the drum Corps already. Keep up the good work!

Field Marshal Montgomery band won the Grade 1 pipe band competition in the 2008 Cowal Championships at Dunoon by ensemble preference. Victory in the last major piping event of the year was some consolation after coming second in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow earlier this month. Their performance was one of many highlights of the day, Saturday seeing a healthy crowd at the world's biggest Highland Games.

In second place were St Laurence O'Toole who were on level points with FMM but had a lower ensemble scoring. This did mean however that they secured the "Champion of Champions" prize with 24 points, while House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead - who took the drumming honours - claimed third spot.

In Grade 2 - it was Torphichen and Bathgate who lifted the 1st prize of the day & also were crowned Champion of Champions with 27 points.

Grade 3A - MacKenzie Caledonia
Grade 3B - Concord
Grade 4A - Black Bottle of Islay
Grade 4B - Stockbridge

Our Drum Majors did very well at the competition, with Elizabeth coming 4th in the Juvenille Section & Emma lifting 3rd place in the Junior Section.

The Championships at Ramore Head brought the end to the NI Piping Season. With one of the biggest entries this year of over 50 bands entering. Not only was the North West Championships title at stake but also the coveted Champion of Championships titles for both bands and drums in each of the Grades.

In Grade 1, Field Marshal Montgomery who were 2nd at the Worlds, took 1st place ahead of Ballycoan & Cullybackey. Ballycoan won the drumming & the bass section prizes & also were crowned Grade 1 Champion of Champions.

In Grade 2, Ravara who were also 2nd at the Worlds, had a very strong performance despite the rain, to take the honours in Grade 2 ahead of Killeen in 2nd place & Seven Towers in 3rd. Ravara also won the Best Piping prize & Best Drum Corps with Best Bass going to Seven Towers.

The Grade 2 'Champion of Champions' band went to Ravara as well as the 'Champion of Champions' Drum Corps.

Howard Memorial who were 3rd in the Worlds last week went on to win Grade 3A at Portrush & Killen won the drumming prize. Aughintober secured the 'Champion of Champions' for the grade & Killen took home the 'Champion of Champions' Drum Corps prize.

Augharonan who were 4th place in the Worlds secured 1st place in Grade 3B at the North West competition & Castlerock took the drumming & bass awards. Colmcille are the current Grade 4A World Champions but they had to settle for second place behind Gransha on Saturday. Manorcunningham won the drumming prizes.

In 4B Upper Crossgare had a good run & lifted 1st place with the drumming prize going to Wm Kerr Memorial.

Congratulations again to young Emma Barr who came 2nd place in the Novice Drum Major competition.

So we now have come to the end of the 2008 season. The band can look back at a successful and encouraging season and know that we did our best and are very pleased with how we performed. There is still a lot of work to do to gain promotion to Grade 1, but with our success from this season we have a strong foundation to build from.

Some bands will be making the journey over to the Cowal Games in Dunoon this weekend. Ravara will not be making the trip as we are commited at the Black Parade which is held in Dromore, Co Down this year. There will be no band practise on Monday night but there will be a practise on Thursday for all those who are parading with the band.

Next on the agenda for the band is an outing in Portglenone in a couple of weeks, and after that the soloists will be representing Ravara at the All Ireland Solos, and the World Drumming Solos.

The other key event will be when 'Anders' gets married to Kathryn on Friday 12th September. No doubt some folk will be there in the evening time to play a tune or two, so we may sort out what version of Scotland the Brave will actually be played!

The pinnacle of the Pipe Band calendar was held again on Glasgow Green, over 220 bands from some 16 nations did their best to impress the adjudicators in their respective grades.

In the Grade 1 action, 14 bands took their places in the final, each having to play twice, first of all a MSR and then a Medley selection later in the afternoon. It was their chance to show the creative side of their music.

Simon Fraser University, Canada won the Grade 1 World Championships overall and also the Drum Corps prize. Field Marshal Montgomery were hoping to retain their World title. They were ahead after the MSR but after the Medley selection was factored in, it wasnt to be and they ended up in 2nd place. Shotts 3rd, Boghall 4th, St Laurence O'Toole came 5th & Strathclyde Police 6th.

Brittany's Bagad Cap Caval had a fantastic performance in Grade2 which put them in a league of their own today. They received two 1st's in piping and a 1st in ensemble, leaving them overall Grade 2 World Champions. Ravara came 2nd on ensemble preference and the drum core also came 2nd. Torphicen & Bathgate won the Drum Corps prize and ended in 3rd place overall. Oran Mor came 4th, Bagad Breig 5th and Buchan 6th.

Well done to Grade 4A band for bringing home the Worlds title to N.Ireland & also to St Lawerence Howth who won the drumming prize in the same grade. Also Drum Major Brian Wilson triumphed in the Senior section final.

A suberb effort by our own Drum Majors. Betty (Elizabeth Sloan) came 2nd place in the Juvenille Section & little Emma Barr secured 3rd place in her Junior Section of the 2008 World championships.

For a change Ravara went somewhere that the rain didnt follow, whilst all else at home in N.Ireland got washed out!!!!!

This week we are heading to the seaside town of Portrush for the North West Championships, where the results of the Champion of Champions for 2008 will also be awarded & this will be our last competition of the season. The event will be held at Ramore Head and will finish with a parade of the town after the finale. Hopefully the rain will have stopped by then.

The rain was heavy in the morning making sure there was plenty of mud around for us all to plod through, trying hard to keep the socks semi clean for the performance, but the mud was winning. It was pretty warm & thankfully the rain stayed away for the rest of the competition.

Many thanks to DC & Sam Cleland for going to Bangor earlier to put the gazebo up for us!

[Photo taken at the Bangor competition of: Dessie McMinn (ex lead drummer of Ravara) with Sue babes & Sammy Boyce.]

Congratulations to Ravara's little Emma Barr for coming 2nd in her Drum Major section today. Keep it up Emma....

Seven Towers won Grade 2 on ensemble preference. Ravara & Seven Towers tied for 1st place in piping, therefore Ravara finished in overall 2nd place, followed by Killeen 3rd and Annsborough lifting 4th prize. Killeen won both the Drum Corps & best Bass section prize. Ravara won the M&D prize.

In Grade 1, Field Marshal Montgomery came 1st in both the MSR & the Medley selection, therefore coming overall 1st place winners. Second place went to Ballycoan who gave a very good performance, then Australia Highlanders in 3rd and Cullybackey in 4th place. The overall Piping, Drumming & Bass Section prizes all went to FMM. M&D prize was lifted by Ballycoan.

Other grade winners included Grade 3A Aughintober, who also won best Piping, Killen won Drum Corps, Bass Section & M&D prizes.

Grade 3B went to Cullenfad, who also won the best Piping & best Drum Corps. Raffreywon the Bass section and Augharonan won M&D.

Grade 4A Colmcille, who also won best Piping and best Drum corps. Bass Section went to Sylera and M&D to Letterkenny.

Grade 4B went to Upper Crossgar, who also won best Drum Corps. Best Piping went to Bellaghy, Bass Section to Ballyboley & M&D was won by Wm Kerr Memorial.

A lot of hard work to be put in this week & probably a few new reeds will be required as everyone pushes hard with that final bit of effort into making next week their bestperformance's of the season on Glasgow Green.

This week Ravara's Susan was asked to sum up the day at Ballyclare. Sue said, "There's not much to write, we played, we got wet, we won!!".

It seemed such an anticlimax compared to the previous week at the Europeans & the heavy rain throughout our performance didn’t help matters. One or 2 members mastered playing a complete MSR with their eyes closed as they couldn’t see anything for the rain in their faces!!!! Once we had dried off, we then got another wet taster in the finale. The "Mash Bus" was good though & we got a good result so the day was worth getting soaked for in the end.

McCallistairs Dirk. They also took home 1st in drumming & the M&D prize. Killeen followed in 2nd place, Seven Towers in 3rd & Annsborough came 4th, also lifting the Bass & Tenor Section prize.

There were only 2 entries in Grade 1: Ballycoan and Cullybackey. Ballycoan came 1st and also lifted best drum corps and bass section.

Other grade winners included: Cottown in Grade 3A, Raffrey in Grade 3B, Manor Cunningham in Grade 4A & Cleland Memorial in Grade 4B.

location is not at the usual Castle grounds - as they are doing major road works at the side of the police station - the competition is therefore being held in Ward Arras playing fields at Ward Park.

DIRECTIONS:As you are heading into Bangor just as you hit the 40 mph zone turn left up onto the High Donaghadee Road. At top turn right and continue along the carriageway until you pass Bloomfield Shopping centre. At the 1st roundabout past Bloomfields turn left down the Gransha road then turn right into the Fairfield road, drive along then turn left into Broadway, playing fields down on your left opposite Bangor golf club.

The playing fields of the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn hosted the competition where 118 bands from Ulster, Ireland, Scotland and England competed for the coveted European titles.

Field Marshal Montgomery retained their European Championship title in Grade 1 along with 1st drumming prize. St Laurence O'Toole take home 2nd place then Shotts, Boghall, Strathclyde and in 6th place Scottish Power.

Ravara win Grade 2 overall and also added to their silverware by winning the drumming prize, followed by Torphicen, Seven Towers, Killeen, Dumfries & in 6th place Glasgow Skye.

In the Drum Major section, Ravara's Ian young took home 3rd prize in the Adult section & little Emma Barr lifted 6th prize in the Junior section.. Congratulations to both for their successes.

St Laurence O'Toole took home Grade 1 overall, with Field Marshal taking 2nd place, Ballycoan 3rd & Cullybackey in 4th place. St Laurence O'Toole won the MSR on ensemble preference.

Killeen take home the Grade 2 All Ireland title with Ravara in 2nd place, Seven Towers 3rd & Annsborough in 4th place.

Other All Ireland title holders include; Aughintober Grade 3A, McNeillstown Grade 3B, Manorcunningham Grade 4A and Achill in Grade 4B.

Congratulations to all winners & a big "pat on the back" to all who survived the massive hike down to Ennis & back!

Top marks for weather prediction goes to DC for nipping to B&Q to buy the band a "9m x 4m" tent. It was a super job. The entire band was in it when rain was pouring down & this kept everyone and the instruments dry.

So we were on a roll coming into this contest and last time we were here at the start of the season we did well enough to win – a repeat would be really good!

After last week we were back to playing our new medley and were itching (well not literally) to get another run out with it. The weather forecast was for showers and this would play a big part in the proceedings as the day unfolded. I wasn't playing today so was able to observe as all good reporters should from a comfortable distance and avoid carrying capes and drum cases around by looking busy….

There were three bands in the grade and we were hoping to keep our recent winning streak going, as we got nearer to our draw time the rain came on and got heavier and heavier so it was a repeat of last years paddling pool escapades as we went on. We wanted to give a really good musical performance for the crowd around the ring and do ourselves justice and if we could do that we'd have been happy enough. As it turned out we did enough to win a clean sweep, winning as a band overall as well as piping, drumming and bass section – Arklow beat us to the M&D prize. Killeen came behind us in second and Arklow were third, well done to all bands today in difficult conditions it wasn't easy (well actually it was for me under the brolly).

In grade 1 St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band lifted the 1 st prize with Field Marshall coming in 2nd .

We're not going to Birmingham next week but are planning on heading to Pinky's for a house warming party (I think he knows this but not sure) so our next outing will Ennis for the All Ireland Championships. See you there, apparently it's a 4 day bike ride so we're leaving on the Tuesday beforehand…

St Laurence O'Toole win grade 1 overall, with Cullybackey taking 2nd place & Ballycoan 3rd.

Ravara get a clean sweep at Cookstown, winning best pipes, drums, bass & M&D prize, Killeen followed in 2nd place, then Seven Towers & Annsborough winning 4th place.

Killen won grade 3A and also took home the drumming prize, with Aughintober in 2nd place & cottown finishing 3rd.

Raffrey was on good form again taking home yet another win of the season in Grade 3B.

Cullybackey win Grade 1 by ensemble preference with Ballycoan taking 2nd place & Lothian & Borders Police coming in 3rd.

Ravara win the Co Antrim title with Killeen coming a close 2nd, also winning the drumming prize.

Congratulations to David & Elaine Cleland whom recently became new parents with the arrival of Beth, Grace Cleland born on 19th May 2008 at 16:18 in the Ulster hospital.

Last time we were in Enniskillen we got washed out and everyone said next time we’d bring rubber rings and flippers, however this time the weather was glorious (although we were lulled into a false sense of security as you’ll see later). One plus point was the fact Dianne got there (nearly on time) using only one mode of transport so that’s progress for you!

The idea was to keep up the early season momentum and show improvement week on week so the trip to Enniskillen was important from that point of view. As the day went on and we got underway, things were coming together nicely and with draw time approaching we were looking forward to playing in the sunshine.

On we went and as with last week the tempo was as we’d planned – the performance went smoothly and afterwards everyone seemed to be reasonably happy. The finale was more or less on time and as the proceedings started the weather turned on its head and with a clap of thunder the rain came down in torrents. That didn’t seem to spoil celebrations for the winning bands with Killeen pipping us at the post in grade 2 and Ballycoan topping the open contest. We did pick up the drumming prize to keep the winning streak going along with best bass section and M&D to cap it off.

The next stop is Larne with our first medley contest of the season so we’re looking for a strong musical performance to get us off and running…..more to follow

They say the early bird catches the worm but one of ours didn't even catch the boat (more of that later)! However everyone else did and we were on our way at chirpy o'clock on the early crossing to Dumbarton with the plan to keep ourselves in the prizes and maybe have a good day out into the bargain…

The first Championship of the season was on us already and some of the main contenders had started limbering up as we got to the competition field - the weather had been forecast as being dry and a bit breezy and the weathermen got it spot on, as the day went on we got some sunshine thrown in so from that point of view all the bands seemed happy enough. We were drawn last so our preparation would have to be measured and thorough but timed to make sure we were at our best going on to play with enough breaks in between to ensure the guys got a chance to re-fuel.

In we went and drew the number 1 set; the first challenge was to start well and from there we knew what had to be done. All through the concentration levels were high and getting closer to the end we held it together, the crowd seemed happy enough and the guys were reasonably happy so it was down to the judges to see how things would unfold.

This contest is a bit different for us as we have to leave before the finale to catch the return boat so modern technology kicks and there are a few mobile phones listening to the results as they happen - Torphican & Bathgate got the nod for 1st place with Killeen 2nd and ourselves coming in 3rd - we did win the drumming prize to keep up a strong run at the back end. Well done to all grade prize winners, particularly St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band who came out on top in grade 1 winning their first major contest (there were a couple of the SLOT players on our coach who were ecstatic).

And so the story of Dianne who overcame adversity and strife as well as visiting more towns in a day than anyone else has ever done in a day to get to Dumbarton! Having slept in to miss the boat (just it has to be said) Dianne decided to try flying over so while she was heading to the airport to check this out the boys on the boat had gone into overdrive to see what options there were to get her there in time and with least cost. This sounds like a straight forward task but let's just say the scientists at NASA don't have anything to worry about….as it turned out her journey went like this Newtownards to Larne; Larne to Belfast; Belfast to Newtownards; Newtownards to Belfast; Belfast to Prestwick; Prestwick to Dumbarton with a whole load of grief on the way as well as a phone bill big enough to pay off a small country's debt.

It all ended well and Dianne made it with time to spare and obviously something clicked as we went on to win the drumming prize! A special gift was presented to Dianne on the way home, an alarm clock!

It might not be as quick as Formula 1 and the Pipe Major doesn't have to worry about which tyres to run on but the competition is just as fierce and some would say the noise is more pleasing on the ears.

The first outdoor event of the season was relocated from Malahide to Banbridge temporarily with the plan to allow the bands to put their collective toes in the water and get a run out before the Scottish Championships next week in Dumbarton. It had been a really warm week in the run up to the contest but true to form Saturday arrived and it was freezing! Although the contest was relocated a fair distance from Malahide it was really encouraging to see bands from all over Ireland competing; well done to all those who made a long journey (one band from Limerick started out at 4am!).

We've been lucky enough to have a few new players join the band since the end of last season so there were some first timers wanting to try on the new uniform and itching to get out. We planned for a steady preparation and that's what we got although with our leading drummer away we had a body double in the shape of Neil Pinkerton (more about that later). On the line we were raring to go and a positive intro got us off to a good start - the March tempo was lively and gave us the basis for the rest of our MSR set and after a good finish we were happy with the performance.

The Grade 2 competitors were on centre band duty so time for a quick glass of lemonade then straight back on for the finale. Congratulations and well done to the prize winners in each grade and drum major contest. As it turned out we won our grade and lifted best drum corps which brings me back to Neil Pinkerton (Pinky), Neil stepped in to lead the drum corps in Aaron's absence and did himself and the band proud - all the back chat and banter from the guys was like water off a duck's back (albeit a fair sized back it has to be said Pinky…) so from everyone in the band a big thanks to Neil and congratulations on picking up the drumming prize. Here's hoping the result next weekend puts us among the prize list as we look ahead to Dumbarton.

The Full Indoor bands competition organised by the Saintfield Pipe Band and scheduled for Saturday April 26 has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Malahide competition which 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.

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?

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.

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.

‘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!’

'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.

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.

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.