| aughintober, northern ireland

Location: Stangmore, Dungannon

Time: 7.00am (in the morning)

It was with tired eyes that the trio of Jason (Driver), Ryan (Sleeper) and Ashely (Sat-Nav Operator) set off in the mighty Audi for the destination of Dublin to play in the All Ireland Drumming Solo's, to meet up with fellow piper Gail, and competitors Ben, Andy & Chris. After an hour and a half (give or take) of travelling, and a brief re-fueling stop (people, not vehicles), everyone arrived safely in Bally-something. (it's exact name escapes me).

Weeks of preperation had gone into the day, and once on station, all the players were raring to go. After the intake of tea everyone got into practicing, with Ben's qualification run coming quicker than everyone had thought. With 2 qualification runs done (Ben & Andy in Junior Drumming), the long wait had begun for the restults. Unfortunately Ben only just missed qualifying, coming 8th in his grade, but after a brilliant performance, andy made it through!

The second run through was not as simple, though. With Andy and Chris playing close together, it was a sprint to get Ryan from Chris' Room to Andy's Room, tune his pipes to Jason's and get them into play with Andy, but something that was done with Ryan's usual flair.

At the end of the day, Andy got 9th place, with Chris Coming 5th, and a brilliant day had by all! (AND me not getting murdered by my Girlfriend for not picking her up from work on time!).

I'll be the first to admit that I was VERY unsure of what to expect on Monday night when we returned for solo drumming practice, but I was sure that it was gonna be a doddle, because (of course) it was the DRUMMING solo's, so the judges won't be listening to the piping...so it dosn't matter than much anyway.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

Turns out that you want EVERYTHING to be outstanding - and with 2x pipers to 1x drummer, there's nowhere to hide. A completly different style to band playing, but one in which everyone's enjoying the challenge.

Competing next Saturday and going head to head will be, in the Junior Section

Andy Young .v. Benjamin Graham

And in the Seniors will be our very own Chris Johnston!

We'll keep you updated on how things are progressing1

Just a little update on the goings on of the band, because believe me, it never stops!

After a 2 week break, with just one thing on everyone's mind, it's time to start again. NORMALLY this wouldn't happen to much later (October-ish), but this year is special. After Sunday night's parade it's back to business as the entire band starts preperations for the All Ireland Drumming Solo's.

Yes, i'm aware that it's the drumming that's the important bit at DRUMMING Solo's, but what can we say - we're perfectionists! AND if anything, it should be a brilliant day down in Dublin!

Anyway, we shall, as always keep you inormed on how we get on, and what we get up to over the winter.

So, the season ended this year much as it always ends - in Portrush, and yes - it was sunny this year! After last week everyone was geared up and ready to put in another good performance, the Northern Ireland Champion of Champoins, and Drumming Champion of Champions at steak.

After another good performance, alas it was not to be, with the band coming 3rd overall. We would, though like to congratulate the Howard on their win, and on winning Champion of Champoins.

So, another end to the most successful season the band's ever had! Scottish & Ulster Champions, Scottish, British and All Ireland Drumming Champions!

We'll see ya in the field!

As you would expect, I shall be gracious this week and tell you the truth.

Thisreport has gone through many guises and ideas on the format it shouldtake. Should we go for bullet points, to keep it short and sweet, orshould I write a fairytale, in order to spice the website up and giveyou a little take of intrigue? Should I revert to rhetoric, much like apolitician does to ingratiate you?

See,i've noticed over the last FIVE (yes FIVE) years that this weeklyreport on the band's going's on has turned more into a blog thananything else. Normally, on a website like this you'll find a fairlybog-standard post which reads:

"AughintoberPipe Band had the Honour of competing number 25 at the World Pipe BandChampionships on Glasgow Green on Saturday, competing for the top prizein the Grade 3a Section. After a good performance, the band were Placed5 out of a total of 29 competitors. Our Congratulations goes to KillenPipe Band, also from Co. Tyrone who won the grade!"

Personally,that dosn't float my boat. Here, you get more than just facts, you getme rambling on for paragraphs about how much fun we had, and whatREALLY went on behind the scenes! 

So,therefore let me tell you this. On Saturday I competed with one of thegreatest sets of individuals I've ever had the pleasure of playing for.We went, we played, we had fun. Kyle managed to avoid the airport!

As for next week? End of the Season! Portrush Competition, Portrush Parade, and a (Well Deserved) break for all!

Wewould, though like to offer our congratulations (much as we did onSaturday) to Killen Pipe Band. A brilliant achievement becoming WorldChampions!

And yes, we're still Living the Dream. 

This year i've found myself in quite a different situation from theusual fayre. See, they've installed computers in our hotel, which ishandy! I'd been asked several times this weekend if I had updated theband website, so I thought i'd take this quiet moment to sit down andwrite a few lines and let you know what's been happening since we gothere.

 SO, Thursday was the usual craic, bus leavingCastlecaulfield at 8am sharp with everyone but the Drum Sergeant onboard. Chris, our entripid DS was to be lifted a little further downthe road...and the bus arrived perfectly on time, with no DS to beseen. 15 minutes and a few phone calls later, we FINALLY had Chris, andwere on our way to the Worlds!

The boat was quite uneventful, themovie selection being that of 'Fools Gold'. The more exciting place tobe, though was in the arcade, where the dream team of Ashley and Brianmanaged to complete Time Crisis II, AND get ourselves on the leaderboard. This achievement was well worth the effort, and made my day!

Backon the bus we had the 4th annual Aughintober Pipe Band World's Quiz!Reeling from their win last year, 'the Champions' were back in fineform, looking for that ever elusive 2 in a row, but alas it was not tobe, with Chris and Noel taking the spoils - which leads us to believethat Chris was spending all that extra time cramming for the quiz!

 Now,it's important to note that Thursday night is 'Team Building' night forTeam Aughintober. We get together, have a little fun, excitement and goback, having bonded with shared experiences. Kyle, who was so excitedat how well the team building went managed to end up going to theairport instead of the hotel on his way home! £14 and a very red facelater Kyle was back....AND he was stupid enough to tell me about it!

Friday,traditionally is a quieter afair, with bandsmen and women alikestarting the mental preperation for the big one the next day, but withthe extra added bonus team-building event of the China Buffet King (ALLYOU CAN EAT!). This, went as it usually does with everyone eating FARtoo much, and a cake for Kylie (she's 19, and has had 'happy birthday'sung no fewer than 12 times to her today!).

So there you have it.currently i've been walking about in my tracksuit and socks, justtaking it easy like the rest of the band. I'm off to bed now, so i'llwish you all sweet dreams!

"Some say she's writing the FMM's new set using a recorder,

others say he's the only international judge being aloud to judge the worlds,

all I know is - IT'S THE GUEST WRITER!"

Isee via the guestbook Turkey seems to be missing the GW - ?the guestwriter dosn't seem to be doing much writing??? so here is an update ofthe problems we are experiencing and some solutions.

PROBLEM

Turkey has still not made it to band practice as he is in Glasgow, eh, studying ...I think.

SOLUTION

Book a flight home

PROBLEM

Glenn wants band practice to start at 7.30pm Sharp and doesn't want ?any of these 7.50pm arrivals? anymore.

SOLUTIONS

Jasonstop texting people saying you will be disappointed if they dont bringsweets to band ? this requires stopping on the road to band and leavingsaid person late.

Ashleywe know you dont' get out of work until 6pm and you have to get downthe road from Omagh, eat and head for band but all you have to do ismiss your dinner and you will be on time. Whats more important - foodso you wont faint at band or Glenn being happy?? You know the answer ?We will catch you before you hit the ground, dont worry.

Ruth stop asking Rob/Ashley to stop at the BP so you can get coffee.

Keepingin mind the lateness to band Rob thought it would be a good idea toexplain the Power of Car Pooling as he seems to think that is what iskeeping his crew late.

Carpooling(also known as car-sharing, ride-sharing, lift-sharing), is the shareduse of a car by the driver and one or more passengers. As thesecarpoolers are helping the environment Rob believes his car crew shouldreceive immunity from any ?Your Late? accusations.

PROBLEM

There are bad odours travelling around the band hall

SOLUTION

Jason, Glenn and Ben put some deodrant on before you go to band. We do not need to see or hear about your sweaty armpits.

Thats all for now

Until next time

The Guest Writer - "we don't know its name, we really don't know its name, nobody knows its name, and we don't wanna know"