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The Virtual Branch AGM will be held on Saturday, 28th of November 2020 at 11am via Zoom

Nominations for election of Officers and notices of motion for the AGM must be received from band secretaries by the Branch Secretary three weeks prior to the meeting - Saturday 7th November 2020 11am

Email contact for the Branch Secretary is secretary@rspbani.org

Please see the link below for more information on available funding from Ulster Scots Agency

https://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/news/article/420/ulster-scots-covid-19-resilience-fund/

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch) (RSPBANI) is the governing body which oversees Pipe Band competition in Northern Ireland.
RSPBANI organises and delivers all Pipe Band and Drum Major Contests in Northern Ireland and the Ulster Solo Piping and Drumming Championships. RSPBANI provides advice, assistance and guidance to the piping community generally and also provide an education college across Northern Ireland which delivers music education programmes to nationally accredited standards.

RSPBANI currently have a vacancy for a Project Manager. This post will be offered on a Fixed Term Contract for 12 months (which may be extended depending on available funding).

The Job Description and Person Specification for the Project Manager role can be obtained from secretary@rspbani.org 

To apply, forward your CV demonstrating how you meet the criteria by 3:00 pm Monday 16th November 2020, by post to:

Secretary,
RSPBA (NI Branch),
Unit 34 Crescent Business Park,
Ballinderry Road,
Lisburn,
BT28 2GN.

Or, by email to:
secretary@rspbani.org

The RSPBANI Executive Committee have received notice of the impending retirement of Ian Burrows, our Project Officer. 

The Executive Committee, on behalf of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch, wish to sincerely thank Ian for his service and commitment since commencing the role in 2012. Over that time Ian developed an outstanding relationship with the member bands and the many stakeholders involved with the Northern Ireland Branch.

Ian feels that now is the right time for him to retire and the Branch wishes him well.  Ian has agreed to remain in position until such times as arrangements are put in place to succeed him.

Bands and Drum Majors please return trophies from last season to the RSPBANI Branch Office, Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN on Saturday 5th September from noon to 3 pm. Local trophies only please, no Major Championship trophies will be accepted.

Alternatively, trophies can be returned directly to the Trophy Officer, please email ian.burrows@rspbani.org who will arrange a date and time with the Trophy Officer.

Thank you. 

Blu Zebra in partnership with Ceoltóirí Éireann Regional Dún Uladh Centre, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association NI Branch (RSPBANI) and Ciaran Elizabeth Doran, Museum Curator are delivering a unique project celebrating Musical Traditions in the Ards and North Down area. This is a PEACE IV EU funded Programme, managed by SEUPB in conjunction with Ards and North Down Peace IV Partnership, and in conjunction with the match-funders for the Council’s action plan, The Executive Office, Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development, Ireland.  The project brings together an eclectic mix of bands, musicians, singers, and dancers from a rich heritage including Ulster-Scots – pipes and highland dancers, Traditional Irish Musicians and Irish dancers, a concert flute band alongside contemporary musicians.  

Thanks to Cleland Memorial Pipe Band for participating in the project.

See the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ktoBBcD_-Es 

Please see the attached full press release.

The JAC Committee have taken the decision to cancel this year's All Ireland Solo event,

This decision was based upon many factors including the availability of a suitable venue, travel restrictions for adjudicators and competitors and current social distancing guidelines

We would encourage all NI bands to log on to the portal that has been set up to allow you to vote at the upcoming RSPBA HQ AGM,

 Your votes are submitted on and counted by the online form,
On the day of the AGM, the chair of the AGM will relay all votes cast to the meeting,
This will ensure that your band's vote is counted at the AGM, 

The portal also has a section for submitting questions, 

Voting will close at 10am on Thursday 25 June 2020, 

You should have received your logon details from RSPBA HQ,
If you have not yet received them, please ensure that you have checked your junk email