With the very real threat of CoViD-19 forcing the United Kingdom into lockdown in March 2020 and henceforth putting an end to competitive piping and drumming during much of 2020 this scuppered the chance for Closkelt to make its debut in Grade 1. With lockdown imposed, the 'normal business' ahead of the season went on the back burner along with most other every day things. Some members of the band held weekly quizzes and get-togethers online, whilst some piped personal tributes to our much beloved and brave folk in the Health & Social Care field and other key workers, who were working to keep us all safe. Coming out of the summer and a slight return to some sort of normality was beginning to take shape, be it with still no clear end in sight and still much anxiety on whether a competitive season will be possible in 2021. One such milestone of normality is the returning of the 2019 season trophies to Northern Ireland branch which happened recently. After holding all these Grade 2 trophies for well over a year it's a somewhat bittersweet moment to be finally handing them back with the knowledge that the band will not have the chance to put its name on them again in the near future as the band embarks on its debut in Grade 1 when competitive piping and drumming returns.
Our gratitude goes to RSPBANI trophy officer Mr Roy McCullough for his exemplary care for these trophies each year and his continual patience during the period of return.
2019 Results
Co. Fermanagh G2 1st and Best Pipes, Best Drums, Best Bass Section Co. Fermanagh G1 1st and Best Pipes, Best Drums, Best Bass Section British G2 1st Mid-Ulster G2 2nd, Best Pipes Mid-Ulster G1 2nd, Best Pipes (Joint) Belfast G2 1st, Best Pipes United Kingdom 1st Co. Antrim G2 2nd and Best Pipes, Best Bass Section Co. Antrim G1 1st and Best Pipes, Best Bass Section All Ireland 2nd and Best Bass Section Scottish 1st North West G2 2nd and Best Pipes (Joint), Best Bass Section North West G1 2nd World G2 2nd Ulster G2 1st and Best Pipes, Best Drums, Best Bass Section NI Champion of Champions Grade 2 Band NI Champion of Champions Grade 2 Bass Section RSPBA Champion of Champions Grade 2 Band
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