| aughintober, northern ireland

Version:1.0StartHTML:0000000167EndHTML:0000008209StartFragment:0000000632EndFragment:0000008193 p { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }a:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }a.western:link { }a.cjk:link { }a.ctl:link { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }Passengersarriving at the airport in Londonderry yesterday were treated to thesounds of Aughintober piper Gail Graham who worked with VisitScotlandand Ryanair to host a celebration of Burns Night.

28year old Gail from Castlecaulfieldjourneyed to the airport to play for those lucky enough to betravelling on the Ryanair flight from Northern Ireland into Prestwickin Scotland, there were extra treats to mark the lifeand work of the country’s famous bard.

AfterGail’s tuneful welcome, adultpassengers on Prestwick flight were handed complimentary goodie bagscontaining Walkers shortbread and a miniature Johnnie Walker bottleof whisky. They were also given Robert Burns songbooks and joinedmembers of the crew in celebrating the unique talents of Scotland’sbard.

TheVisitScotland initiative aimed to give Northern Ireland passengers areal taste of Scotland on their journey to the home of Robert Burns. Burns Night is celebrated every year across Northern Ireland, withan increasing range of events scheduled throughout the province withthousands of Ulster Scots raising a toast to commemorate the life ofRobert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. Passengers on thePrestwick flight are among thousands of Burns enthusiasts fromNorthern Ireland expected to make the journey by air or sea toperhaps the best place to soak up the tradition and culture…inScotland itself. 

LondonderryMayor and Alderman MauriceDevenneycommented: “We are very pleased to support VisitScotland inbringing a taste of Scotland to the Airport in celebration of BurnsNight this year. Gail’s piping proved somewhat of a wake-up callfor passengers arriving early to the airport. Beyond our ancestralconnections, I believe Northern Ireland has a special affinity withScotland in terms of the warmth and hospitality of our people. Weare therefore delighted to support this special Burns Nightinitiative.”

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MariaMacken of Ryanair said: “Ryanair is delighted to welcome NorthernIreland passengers into Scotland on this special day.  There isno better place to celebrate Burns night than in the birthplace ofthe poet himself. Ryanair operates a total of 62 routes to and fromScotland, giving passengers all over Europe the chance to explorethis fascinating country.”

MalcolmRoughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “People from allover the world enjoy celebrating the work of Scotland’s Bard onBurns Night. Rabbie Burns is an iconic symbol of our country.Visitors to Scotland can visit some of the wonderful places connectedwith Burns as well as experience our famous traditional Burns Nightsupper this evening.”

Thereare a number of special and surprising Burns events scheduled acrossScotland this year.   Whiskylovers will find a warm welcome at Burns-themed events at the Scotchwhisky training school at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburghwhile the Famous Grouse distillery in Perthshire is hosting a specialBurns tour to include; adram, a serving of haggis, neeps and tatties and a Burns recital. Musicand storytelling promise merry-making for all ages with a specialBurnsfest for 2012 taking place as part of Scotland’s WinterFestivals in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Thosevisiting the region of Dumfries and Galloway, can enjoy a newfestival - the Big Burns Supper taking place from 27 - 28 January.

Forthose inspired by Burns Night to explore Scotland in 2012, should goto www.visitscotland.com/surprise,which also contains over 300 discount vouchers for places to stay,things to see and do and places to eat across Scotland.

NorthernIreland travellers to Scotland can avail of additional celebrationsthis year. The Year ofCreative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and celebrates Scotland’scultural and creative strengths on a world stage with a dynamic andexciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-classevents, festivals, culture and heritage. More information about theprogramme can be found at: http://www.visitscotland.com/creative

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
And sae let the Lord be thankit.

Today, is Burns day! And to celebrate it, piper Gail Graham was asked up to the City of Derry Airport by Ryan Air to kick off the celebrations properly. I don't know what Gail charges for such events, but I'm sure the pricing policy is a set fee for a certin amount of of tunes, Gracenotes are extra, and only one movement per tune...or that also will cost extra ;-).

That's right folks, hot off the fb press is the shocking news that the Girls in the Pipe Corps are getting together to....PRACTICE! The three quietest members of the band Andrea, Gail and Lynne are apparently meeting up tonight for practice, tea and to scheme about us fella's!

But to be honest, we're not bothered as they'll be doing so much practice they'll not have time to talk about us!

Tonight at band discussion (as happens when you need to keep the PM occupied so you can get a breath), chat turned to the latest practice techniques, and how technology can aid this. Glenn, proudly presented his new smart phone (only took him 6 years to upgrade!) and showed off his new metronome app proudly, showing how one can never be without one's metronome these days, giving you less things to remember!

Discussion then turned to the various advantages of a skype band practice, the obvious one being that you can practice in the comfort of your own home, in your underwear if you desire and nobody need know!

New member Lynn then reminised about the days when herself and a friend pioneered 'phone practice', taking turns to play down the phone while others listened. This was in the days before the mass availability of mobile phones, so you had to do it in the hallway with your mum shouting in at you to stop so she could hear brookside! The sounded like a good technique to other members, until band elderstatesman Raymond piped up that such a technique had, infact been perfected by his goodself many years earlier, although due to the lack of a phone they were forced to use string and tin cans!

Here's to a cold, hard winder.
Here's to an excellent AGM, where lots was discussed.
Here's to an exciting future, with lots of surprises.
Here's to learning new tunes, new drum scores and making new friends.
Here's to a fine meal with fine friends.
Here's to the same excellent committee, doing the same excellent job.
Here's to Spelling Mistakes.
Here's to the stickiest toffee tarts in the world.
Here's to Sweat
Here's to driving to band in the dark.
Here's to the kids

And most of all, here's to 2012...the hard work begins now!

    

Well! I, like much of the band have just come down a varnish-fume-infused high obtained legally at band practice last night. Whos ever the idea was to have the hall varnished on a monday, before band practice, we would just like to say THANK YOU!

Now, for those of you who attended the 'Night at the Races' on Saturday night, or who sold, bought or sponsored our horses/races, the band owes you a huge debt of gratidude. You helped us raise a massive £1,600 for band funds! From what we are told, everyone had a fantastic night - and even won a little money too!

So you're all probably wondering about the pictures above.This was an idea I had while high at band practice last night! It seems that more than band members want to fill out our famous 'Player Profile' sheets, so I thought we'd give them a go at it! So i'd like to introduce you to our first 2 ambassadors

Canada - Melvin Ferry (Aughintober Pipe Band)
Scotland - Robbie Crow (Denny & Dunipace)

Of course, their profile's won't be released until the player profies nearer the start of the season, but I thought i'd let you take a peek at who we've got so far! So if you'd like to take part in the ambassadorship programme, please email ashleyhassin@gmail.com with your name, and what country you'd like to represent the band in! (Real or Made-up!).

SO, as you all know, we in TeamAPB like to come up with little games to keep ourselves amused outside the Pipe Band arena, so we have a brand new one for you guys to take part in! Celebrity Tie Spotting is just what it sounds - if you see a Celeb (A-Z list!) wearing what appears to be mighty APB tie, give us a shout, and we'll add it to the website! So, to kick us off:

Jim Wells, MLA
As Spotted by: The Guest Writer

Jim was spotted in a report on BBC Newsline a few nights ago wearing APB Colours, but a look into his past reveals many pictures of him sporting the same look, making him a worthy first entrant to the 'Tie Spotting' feature!

Well done Jim, you've got our Vote!

that's right folks, for the first time in band history (as far as i'm aware), aughintober will be playing the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Tuesday! (23rd Nov 2010). We will be only one of a number of bands playing on the night, in the Newsletter's 'Festival of Marching Bands', which looks to be a good night all round! (especially since my boss just said I can definately have it off work!)

As well as this, another momentus ocassion is taking place on the night. Now, you know us - not ones for making a fuss, or using bad language but on this ocassion we'll make an exception. Band members have said various things about it, such as:

"I thought i'd walked into a 78th's practice"

and

"Man, I could stare at that all night!"

But it is this. On Tuesday 23rd November 2010, in the Ulster Hall, Belfast Aughintoer Pipe Band will be unveiling certinly what we think is one of the sexiest bass heads in the country....certinly the sexiest on in Aughintober Hall!

The Royal British Legion is trying to get a 'silent single' into the top 40 of the charts on Rememberance Sunday...somthing the band would like to promote. All you have to do is visit http://www.silentsingle.com/ and buy the single - it's only a quid!

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

The members of Team APB would like to congratulate Drummer Andy Young, and his wife Andrea on the birth of their son, Ethan! He was born on Sunday [5th Sept], at 3.05pm. and weighed seven pounds eleven and a half.

In the words of his proud father: "hes class"