| aughintober, northern ireland

Banbridge, Northern Ireland. The scene of two brilliant awards. One we would like to give, and one which we received!

The Award we would like to give: Myself and Mr. Scott would like to award Banbridge Rugby Club the 'Burger of the Year' award. Yes, we are aware of the fact that there is clearly 2 contests left in the season, but so sure that nothing will beat this masterpiece, we're giving it out now!

Take a burger bun, 2 steak burgers, a slice of cheese, onions and 2 pieces of bacon, put it all together, call it the B.R.F.C. and charge a fiver. Yes, a fiver, and it was worth every penny! Infact, i'd go back for another!

Now, the second award, the one which we received. After a fantastic run, our drummers managed to retain their Ulster Title! A brilliant achievement, especially when you consider that we've won it twice in a row, with two different men at the helm. We'd like to congratulate David and the dummers on their brilliant win, and just because you've done so well, we'll not let slip which drummer celebrated his 50th Birthday this week!

On Thursday we head for the worlds, Quiz is being written as we speak, so we'll see you all in Glasgow!

It's funny the things that you don't quite hear. Usually it's small things like your mum telling you to tidy your room, or your wife asking you to paint the kitchen. Other times, it's a little bit bigger, like not hearing when someone who owes you money calls your name. But on Saturday, the members of Aughintober pulled a whopper - so much so that the Pipe Major has cancelled band practice on monday, and instead we've got experts coming to check everyone's hearing!

At the start of the year, the LD said everyone should be wearing earplugs in the band hall, but having never done it before, hardly anyone did...so David, i'd just like to say, you were right!

You see, it took most of the members of the band a few seconds to realise that we had been placed 5th in a Major Championship! One would think that getting a prize for the first time at at a Major in Grade 2, we would instantly be cheering and whooping, enjoying the moment, so the only explanation I can come up with is that our hearing is gone, and we need to get it sorted!

So, as you can guess from the last paragraph, Aughintober had a great day out at the Europeans in Stormont, lifting our first major silverware!

In other news, I've just been informed that I'm putting the Worlds Bus Quiz together again....all I can say is Good Luck! Glenn say's he's looking forward to taking part in his first ever Worlds Quiz!

Sunshine and Blue Skies greeted the Aughintober Lads & Ladies as they returned to competition after the 12th 'break' on Saturday. It was in the Sunny climate of Bangor Castle, with a lovely breeze off the sea which the competition was to be held - and it was just lovely!

I'd love to regale you to tales of the band antics, as usual, but to be honest the band didn't really have much time for antics, as we were playing last, and had centre band duty to do as well! I could tell you though, that a good friend of the band, Mr. Scott got shouted at by an O.A.P. for using the park and ride carpark for the competition, like half the field!

So, after playing, having a break, and playing again in centre bands the band managed a wonderful 3rd! Well done lads!

Next week, it's the European Championships in Stormont...it'll be good to be on home soil!

It's a points like this I wish I had taken a good photo of the mirrored bass...I've spent the last 3 days looking for one, which is why i'm only writing the weekly report now...that's my story and i'm sticking to it!

See, the new bass heads became a vitial component this weekend...not because of their musical ability, or their beautiful tone - but their unique ability to help everyone to check their Uniform! "Kyle, Mirror" was the shout in Lisburn, checking hats, ties etc...the only member who couldn't make proper use of it was Kyle himself!

Even so, this beautiful mirrored bass has found it's stride (even has been commented on by some people, think the sun really showed it off!), and helped us become All Ireland M&D Champions in Grade 2! A prize the band would like to dedicate to the man who invented the Mirrored Bass Head...alas we could not have done it without you!

Cookstown...for the band being so close (and that it's not he first of the season like Dungannon, which is technically closer)  it's always one of the least eventful contests. So uneventful it is, I (like most of the band) got out of bed around 11.30pm, with the band meeting at 1, lumbered downstairs for toast and sauntered down to the field, much like the rest of the band! At one point, it looked like have the band would be turning up in dressing gowans and slippers, with Ryan in his white 'work' coat!

Saying that, Cookstown brought the return of Wayne 'Turkey' Burrows (pictured above) back to the Aughintober fold, from his hard studying in Glasgow. Usually I would put a turkey joke in here, but to be honest, I can't think of one! So i'll just say it's good to have you back big lad!

At this point, I really have to say a big CONGRATULATIONS! to David and the APB Drummers, who have managed a magnificent 3 in a row! A briliant achievement, and we really hope you guys can keep it up! The band was 4th overall, and as you've already guessed, picked up the drumming prize for good measure!

The band, oweing to a few take-that fans (NOT who you think it is either, they're fella's!) won't be out in Newcastle next week, but will be taking the field at our first Major of the year in Annon the week after!

Until then, stay safe!

The Big Pipe Band Contest in Ballymena Hi!

At least, that's how I would have promoted it, but alas maybe next year! The hightly awaited contest, promoted by a picture of our very own William Laffin was to be held in the Showgrounds, and the day was a fine and dandy one!

The big 'love in' continued over the other side of the band this week, as Willy and John further bonded over Willy's 'Bra Strap'. (Ok, bagpipe harness, but 'Bra Strap' is Funnier!). It was truely an insipiration to see two players giving each other a helping hand, and made me want to develop my relationship with Gary, who decided to give the contest a miss, do you think it was something I said?!

This week also saw another member join the pipe band Fraternity, for my very own Fiancee Miss Lynda Brown had her first foray into the world of Pipe Band Competitions. I am happy to report that the wedding is still on, and that she 'Quite Likes Pipe Bands' ;-)

I have also been informed as to a few inaccuracies in last week's reporting. I would like to apologise to the Murry Clan, and anyone who has gone to their house for tea this week, as I have been informed that the tea tray this year has gone to the McClue household for safe keeping, so if anyone fancies a cup of tea, head over to Victoria McClure!

Anyway, After a report mainly dedicated to the Pipe Corps, I would very much like to offer a big CONGRATULATIONS! to Davy Brown and the Drum Corps, who picked up the Best Drumming Prize, but Best Bass as well! Brilliant job guys, we're all very proud! :-D

The Band also won the M&D Prize, and 2nd overall in Grade 2. In Grade 1, Cullybackey lead the field, with the local lads (7 Towers) coming 2nd, and Aughintober coming 3rd!

Next Week: COOKSTOWN!

Playing twice can be a daunting prospect, especially when it's for a tea set!

Firstly, it's remembering two sets, although that's not as much of a problem as it once was. But I can tell you it's weird standing in the circle half an hour after you've first plated, in exactly the same spot plaing for the only thing that's ever mattered to the Bass Drummer - a Silver Tea Tray, which he first won last year for Best Bass in the Open Grade last year and which he hated to give back! For a year now, whenever anyone has been offered a cup of tea in the Murray household, our Kyle would proudly present it to you on a perfectly polished tea-tray, and we're all glad this tradition can continue for another year!

This week's results has aswell, though given the band another historical first. For the first time in the band's history, we are tied with the Field Marshal with points in the race for Northern Ireland Champion of Champions! An exciting feat to be sure...and we would like to wish them all the best for the rest of the season - may the best man win! (said in an ever so sarcastic tone!)

The weekend has also done well in producing our new Uniform Officer...one Andrea Young! With a fervor, before we started playing she sorted out each band member's uniform, even encouraging us to wear jackets to complete the look (3rd time in 4 years we've worn jackets - the cold might have helped though!). But not in vain, was Andrea's hard work because we won the M&D Prize! :-D

Anyway, that's enough of my ranbling on for this contest! 

Be Safe!
The APB Web Team

P.S. I suppose I should tell you the results! Band was 2nd in Grade 2, and won the Drumming & M&D. We were also 1st in the Open Grade also picking up Drumming, Bass, & Piping!

The twenty-eleven season started off, not with but(for me anyway) buzzing of my usual alarm clock, but with my dad coming in, and telling me to get my arse out of bed, i'd slept in! Understandable, when you take into consideration that 'Hassin's House of Flags' was one flag short (Canadian), and had to spend all the previous night forcing my Girlfriend to sew one, which she did a great job at (Thanks Lynda!).

So with the flags packed, and my uniform on I headed to Dungannon Park to start off the PIpe Band season. Dubious weather greated us on the park, but it was great to see all the old faces again, and catch up on what's been going on over the off season! With capes on, it was an unusually late start for Team APB due to the rain, but our roster of old and new did themselves proud, keeping calm and putting in a decent performance, coming third overall :-)

But the real fun was last night, at the first annual 'International Piping in the Park' competition. Unfortunately the night had a bad start with theifery of one of our flags, but that was soon forgotten as the International Piping Community decended upon Dungannon Park to cheer on their competitors. Having Canada, England, Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland represented brought a truely international feel to the event, with the competitors doing their best to outdo eachother. Best costume of the night has to go to Donald McPhee from the States (pictured above), who went out to show off his national pride, donning not one, but three american flags! Most interesting Insturment on the night, though had to go to Ronan from SLOT, who played the box along with Kevin Rodgers (ROI)! 

So, after 2 hours of brilliant, world class music judges Gary Watterson and David Caldwell had a difficult task on their hands to pick a winner. After much deliberation they decided that Gordon McCreedy had done enough to win the MSR Section, with Donald McPhee winning the Entertainment Secion (I think the large shouts of USA, USA! helped!).  The overall winner, though had to be Gordon McCreedy who played just superbly!

Photo's will be up when I can find my camera!

by Pipe Major Glenn Ferry

For a mildly turbulent season with a tasty finish add the following ingredients: -

• 6 concerts

• 1 broken elbow

• 1 hernia operation

• 1 new born baby

• 1 pregnancy

• 1 immigration to Canada

• 1 sabbatical from piping

• 60 years experience

• 5 parades

• 2 injured wrists

• 8 competitions

• 1 or 2 member fall outs

• 1 hard working secretary

• 12 hours on a bus

• 1 celebration dinner

• 1 set of tonsils removed

• 1 Ulster drumming champion

• 2 parties in Rathfriland

• 10 drummers

• 1 wedding

• 10 pipers

• 1 trip to china

• 1 cancelled trip to china

• 64 horses at the night at the races

• 1 new member

• 1 possible move to Australia

• 2 major championships

Add som disgruntled members (if you like), mix together with a good attitude, a smile and some nice music to ensure good quality.