Latest News

When the announcement was made that Static Band Practice and rehearsals would be permitted in agreed outdoor locations from 23rd April, we contacted the Arts Council NI for clarification on what this meant

We wanted to seek clarification in regards to the "agreed public spaces" and if there is any further guidance on the use of woodwind instruments

We do know that Bands must ensure that they have an up-to-date risk assessment and that social distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times.  Practices are for members only and should not have any spectators

We hope to have an answer to our queries this week and we will update all bands when we have more information

At the Branch Meeting on Saturday 27th March, the bands in attendance were in support of the Executive's recommendation to explore the possibility of running 2, possibly 3 showcase events in August/September 2021 (in line with government restrictions),

The Executive committee will now go ahead and engage with sponsors and begin planning for such events,

If any bands have any ideas for these outdoor showcase events, please ask your band secretary to submit them via secretary@rspbani.org

The RSPBANI Executive Committee have met and decided that they will make a recommendation at the next Branch Meeting on Saturday 27th March 2021, that there will be no contests in April, May, June or July 2021,

The RSPBANI Executive are actively considering organising Pipe Band "Festival" events on two Saturdays in August 2021 (potentially one in September).

The detailed format of the ‘Festivals’ remains to be determined as the Festival is still in the early planning stages, however, the intention is that they would involve showcase performances by the bands who are in attendance,

Bands will understand that the ‘Festival’ events would require considerable planning to ensure that they are organised to be Covid-19 safe,

Prior to undertaking this planning, we would be very grateful if bands could advise us by emailing secretary@rspbani.org indicating if they could commit (subject of course to Government regulations at the time) to attending such a Festival

See email below from the Ulster Scots Agency,
Please contact Danielle if you require Derek's mobile number

The Ulster-Scots Agency has secured additional money from the Department of Communities to support groups under our Covid Small Grants programme.

I have noted that your group did not apply under the first round of funding,  I would urge you to consider applying for this final tranche which opens today and closes on the 22^nd February but is delivered on a first come first served basses.  All items funded under the programme must be purchased by the 31^st March and while I appreciate that time is short, the Agency will endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible.

Please find below the registration link, once you submit the registration form an application and guidelines will be automatically emailed to you. The form is very simple and should not take any more than 30 minutes to complete. Please spend a few minutes reading the guidelines especially the eligibility section and section outlining what we can fund. There are only two questions in the form, please read them carefully before submitting you answers.  Please note, you only need three quotations if a single item is valued at £1,000 or more.

To assist you a member of the Agency staff will contact you in the next day or so to answer any questions you might have, or you can contact me on my mobile

Regards,
Derek Reaney
Community Development Officer.

2021 Registration - SMALL GRANT  APPLICATION FORM 2

The January Branch Meeting will take place on Saturday 30th January 2021 at 2pm via Zoom

The meeting link will be sent to Band Secretaries next week

We now know the extent of the Covid-19 pandemic and even at this stage, we are unsure of getting a competition season in 2021.

We do however, have to plan and to that extent, we have been working closely with Councils to put a plan together. At this stage we are unable to confirm dates as Councils have yet to agree budgets, also we do not know to what extent the Virus will require us to provide extra controls and safety measures.

Although there have been no events this past year, we are continuing to work on the principle that we will get going some time in 2021. We do not however, anticipate that we will get the go ahead from Government to run such events as our Championships in their known form before July 2021.

We do have in hand, back up plans with regards to Covid-19 and a range of safety procedures such as limited spectator numbers and spectator seating arrangements. We will continue to review these proposals as time and information change the picture.

Further information will be posted on our website as developments become known.