Ulster Bands on top of the World

Northern Ireland bands triumphed at the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green on August 14.
The results firmly established the Province's bands in competition circles when they won all six adult grades, plus two titles in the three drum majors sections.
There were more than 230 bands competing, 45 of which were from Northern Ireland.  This is not a world championship in name only.  Bands were present from Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa, France, Holland, Denmark and Germany.
It was overall a brilliant day's contesting from start to finish.  The weather was ideal, and the 40,000-plus spectators revelled in the conditions and the spectacle of music brought from basically all parts of the world.
The Field Marshal Montgomery, from Carryduff was superb in taking the supreme grade.  Their win was very well received by the vast crowds who waited with baited breath for the announcements.  And with Pipe Major Richard Parkes back in charge, what a result it must have been for him following a season during which he was sidelined by illness for a lengthy period.
Then in Grade Two, two Ulster bands made the play-offs - Cullybackey and Ballinderry Bridge.  It was the latter who keep the Province in contention with yet another brilliant performance.  Pipe Major Noel Mullan, who has certainly got his band in fine fettle this season, and the Coagh outfit now seem destined for Grade One next year. 
Chieftain of the Day was the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Liz Cameron, who presented the awards.
World Championship Results:
Drum Majors: Junior - 1, E. Sloan (Quinn Mem); 2, L. J. Lawson (Matt Boyd Mem); 3, S. Gordon (Banbridge); 4, A. Symon (Dumbarton); 5, L. Hamilton (Killeen).
Juvenile: 1, J. Paguio (Caledonia, USA); 2, A. Morton (Boghall and Bathgate); 3, R. Ferry (Aughintober); 4, B. Purcell (Corpus Christi); 5, I.  Scott (Cullybackey).
Adult (Senior) - 1, B. Wilson (Syrela); 2, W. Jordan (Dumbarton); 3, K. Macheffner (mesa Caledonia); 4, P. Braiden (Ballycoan); 5, J. Noble (Boghall and Bathgate).
Bands: Novice Juvenile - 1, Inverclyde Juvenile; 2, G. Watson's College, also drums and bass section; 3, Monkstown Mossley; 4, Milngavie; 5, Vale of Athol; 6, Paisley.
Grade Four B - 1, McNeillstown; 2, Thiepval Mem; 3, Kirkwall City; 4, Misty Isle, USA; 5, Kirkcudbright and Dist., also drums and bass section; 6, Keith Highlanders.
Grade Four A - 1, Annsborough; 2, Gortaclare also drums; 3, Castlerock; 4, Corpus Christi; 5, Cumnock and Dist., also bass sections, 6; Sgt Walker Mem.
Juvenile Grade - 1, St Thomas Episcopal School, also drums and bass section; 2, Geo Watson College; 3, Kintyre Schools; 4, Dunoon Grammar School; 5, Stewarts Melville College; 6, Bucksburn and Dist.
Grade Three B - 1, Seven Towers, also drums and bass section; 2, Marlacoo; 3, Fintan Lalor; 4, Altnaveigh Memorial, Newry.; 5, Prince George (USA); 6, Williamwood.
Grade Three A - 1, Finvoy; 2, Black Raven, also drumming; 3, Kevin R. Blandford Mem (Canada); 4, Bready; 5, North Belfast WMC; 6, Strathclyde Fire Brigade, also bass section.
Grade Two - 1, Ballinderry Bridge, also drums; 2, Robert Malcolm Mem (Canada); 3, Bagad Cap Caval (France); 4, Windsor Police (Canada); 5, Drambuie Kirkliston; 6, Glengarry (USA), also bass section.
Grade One: Drum corps - 1, overall, Simon Fraser University (Canada); 2, Field Marshall Montgomery. March, strathspey and reel Clyde Police; Medley - Field Marshall Montgomery. Bass section - Field Marshall Montgomery.
World Champions - 1, Field Marshal Montgomery; 2, Simon Fraser University; 3, House of Edgar-Shotts and Dykehead; 4, Strathclyde Police; 5, Scottish Power; 6, St Laurence O'Toole.
March, strathspey and reel - Simon Fraser University.
Medley selection - Field Marshal Montgomery.