THE UK Pipe Band Championships will take place on Saturday, May 18, at Ward Park, Bangor.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, in partnership with Ards and North Down Council, will host the event, which is expected to attract the UK’s best pipe bands and drum majors, with 1,500 musicians and 75 pipe bands taking part in the competition.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Jennifer Gilmour, said the council was ‘delighted’ to be hosting the championships in Bangor.
She added: “The Championships provide a great day of entertainment that can be enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike. I wish all the competitors, sponsors, and organisers every success for a great championship.”
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), Bob Niven said the organisation has worked extremely hard to continue the tradition of Northern Ireland hosting the UK Championship.
“We are excited to be working with our new host, Ards and North Down Borough Council who have made it possible. Our thanks also go to The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland for their tireless effort to make this a reality,” he said.
RSPBA Northern Ireland branch chairman, Alastair Patterson said: “It is a privilege to retain the UK Championship in Northern Ireland for our bands and drum majors and we are delighted to be working with the RSPBA and Ards and North Down Borough Council in hosting the UK in such a great venue as Ward Park, Bangor.”
For more information, go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or rspbani.org.
