NW members celebrate world championship success

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Northern Ireland have been crowned world pipe band champions for the 11th time, making them one the most successful bands in the competition's history.

Celebrating their success in this year’s world championships were Londonderry members Keith Orr, leading drummer, along with daughter Jenny Orr, a tenor drummer, piper David Middleton and side drummer Ian Gillespie. Keith, a Drumahoe man who has been playing with the band for 15 years, told the Sentinel: “This is the highest level of competition there is so everyone was absolutely delighted to win the title again this year. You can’t do any more than winning the world championships.”

Mr Orr paid tribute to his fellow members from Londonderry. He said: “David Middleton’s been in the band for around 15 years so he is a longstanding member. He is also heavily involved with the Northern Ireland piping and drumming school up in Lisneal College. Ian Gillespie has been in the band for about ten years and is a neighbour of mine. His daughter is a very talented tenor drummer so it would be great to see her step up and join the band.”

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The competition was particularly special for the local man, whose daughter Jenny also picked up a world title playing alongside her father. “I was immensely proud”, said Keith. “For a long time I delayed asking her to join the band because I didn’t want it to look like favouritism but eventually she joined the band. She is absolutely good enough to play and she has proved that. I am very proud of her and I am delighted to pick up the highest honour with Jenny, David, Ian and everyone else in the band.”

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