The youngest playing member of the Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums, Joel (age 14), receiving the Bill Barnes Trophy from David Frith, Chairman of the Highland Games

As you may remember, Joel, the youngest playing member of the Birmingham Pipes and Drums, aged fourteen, won the U15 English Bagpipe Championship Ashbourne Highland Games on the 15th July.
A small mix up on the day took place, and thereafter the results were sorted and a hunt for the trophy commenced. I am delighted to report that the ‘Bill Barnes Trophy’ was recently presented to Joel at practice.
The trophy honours Bill Barnes who was a piper with The West Midlands Fire Service Band – a person that Joel knew well. Bill unfortunately passed away recently and his band donated a trophy to the English Championships, (Ashbourne) for it to be competed for in honour of Bill.
Joel came 1st in the competition and the chairman of the Highland Games, David Frith, came to one of our practices on a Tuesday evening to present Joel with the Bill Barnes Trophy. David and his committee do an immense job in organising the Ashbourne Games and it is a great family day out for all.
Closer to home we have just played on stage in Centenary Square for the Birmingham Artsfest. To be truthful I have been having sleepless nights over this one. The band when we have gone out and played at big events have always risen to the occasion and performed brilliantly.
There has to be an upset sometime doesn’t there? Obviously not, once again the band played incredibly and I am so proud to be the one that leads them out on each event, be it large or small.
For the last four weeks all we have been practicing is the set that we would be playing on stage. I know that some of the band were probably getting bored with it but the performance on Saturday 15th September proved all the hard work and tedium was well worth while. Everybody had a huge smile on their face as they walked off the stage.
It was great to see so many familiar faces watching, clapping and having a dance as we played away.
I didn’t realise but there were big screens all over the place where the band was being broadcast. It was only when I realised that some of the band were not watching me for the timing of the tune but trying to put their best profile forward for the cameras that I realised something was going on!
Bob Brolly was the compere and as usual did a great job, especially when trying to get the two to three thousand people there to do an Irish Jig. After us on stage for the Irish hour were the fantastic Father Teds and the hugely talented Scanlon School of Irish Dancing.
Some of the younger dancers looked absolutely terrified but a warm and appreciative audience soon got rid of that with huge applause and lots of whistles and clapping as they danced away.
I say it every month and I will continue to do so… we need you!
New members are very welcome and are vital for the band to continue and grow. We practice at SS Mary & Johns School on Gravelly Hill North in Erdington every Tuesday evening. Beginners are from 6.45 till 7.30, (with lots of practice at home during the week). The main session goes from 7.45 till 9.45, we do work hard but we also have fun. The best fun is marching out and playing in front of people, the reception we get is always guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Visit our website at www.birminghamirishpipesanddrums.co.uk and email me or call me on 0121 686 3832 or Maurice on 0121 783 0323 to either ask the band about a booking or how to come along and enjoy the craic.
A final word to The Harp and all the very welcome and smiley faces that we saw on the Saturday at Artsfest. We would like to thank you for your unprecedented support for the band, your friendship and support to the band has been immense, we are really grateful. Also we wish Maureen Mohan a speedy recovery, take it easy and we will see you out and about soon, from all the band and families.