Arlene appointed to role of RSPBANI Vice-chairman

Originally a member of Ardess Accordion Band near Kesh, Co Fermanagh, Arlene played the piano accordion there for over 10 years. She began to take an interest in pipe bands around 1997 and a few years later joined Derryclavin Pipe Band as their bass drummer.

When Arlene became Vice Principal of Castledawson Primary School in 2006 she went to live in Castledawson and joined Kilrea Pipe Band and competed with them at Grade 4B for two years.

Arlene moved to Antrim in 2009 when she became Principal of Carrowreagh Primary School, near Finvoy, Ballymoney. She joined Ballydonaghy Pipe Band (near Crumlin) and competed with the band in Grade 3B. Arlene was made to feel very welcome with Ballydonaghy and really enjoys being part of a band with a real ‘family atmosphere’ and a band that have a very strong programme of teaching young people the art of piping and drumming.

Arlene began attending branch meetings of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association during her time as secretary of Kilrea Pipe Band and continued to attend them after joining Ballydonaghy Pipe Band.

In November 2010 she was appointed Assistant Treasurer of the RSPBA (NI Branch). At the AGM in November 2012 she was appointed Vice-Chairman in succession to Ray Hall who was appointed Chairman in succession to George Ussher who decided to stand down as Chairman but will still retain the top post of President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

Speaking of her recent appointment Arlene said: “I feel very privileged to be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch). I realise I have a lot to learn but I believe we have a very positive and pro-active executive committee in place at present and we all work as a strong team to ensure that Northern Ireland is indeed the best place to be for a pipe band enthusiast.

“George Ussher, the previous Chairman, is to be highly commended for the way in which he has led and driven the Branch for over 10 years. As principal of a local primary school in an area surrounded by pipe bands I think it is vitally important to encourage young people to get involved in their local community band.

“We also hope to get the Ulster Scots Agency on board to help with funding. I feel it is essential for the future of pipe bands that they attract young people from their own locality to keep the art of piping, drumming and drum majoring alive; something which will leave a long legacy when the older generations move on. I hope that during my time as Vice-Chairman of the branch I can share some of my enthusiasm for pipe bands and for the promotion of piping, drumming and drum majoring, especially amongst young people.

“I trust that the RSPBANI School, who runs classes across the country, will continue to rise in popularity and that pipers, drummers and drum majors continue to succeed in their studies and development. We are the envy of many countries as we continue to dominate at major competitions and we, in Northern Ireland, are leading the world in this field and with the continued support of local councils, local government and agencies such as the Ulster Scots Agency and the Arts Council - we trust we will continue to do so for many years to come.”