Tullylagan Pipe Band

Tullylagan Pipe Band, which recently won the Wallace Cup in Belfast Competition open to all Bands in Ireland celebrated the event on Thursday night of last week, when the Cup was formally handed over by Dr Baxter, of Castlecaufield, a native of the district.

Dr Baxter  - Dr Samuel Baxter of Castlecaufield, who presented the cup, said that the Band had been inaugurated about nine years ago, but in the loss of its Leader had received a severe knock a year after it started.  Eight years ago it was demoralised that most of them wondered to see it weather the storm.  Since then it has continued in existence, and owing to the support of its many friends, and also to the industry of the boys themselves, it has reached the zenith of its ambitions.

Speaking of persistance Dr Baxter quoted the words used by Sir R Stanton Woods at Dungannon Royal School last week "What we earnstly desire and strive to accomplish is attainable.  Even the atom has been split, and it follows that, of all qualities that which most makes for the realisation of aims is persistence; the stubborn refusal to be turned obstacles."  The Tullylagan Band has shown this spirit and for eight years has persisted in spite of all critism.

In presenting the Cup to Mr Joseph Warnock, Bandmaster and Secretary of the Band, Dr Baxter said that he had laboured for many years to bring the Band into its present competent state. When he (the speaker) looked at the cup and remembered where it has been for the last five or six years, he realised why some people thought he would remind them that Tullylagan had not entered the competition before.

In conculsion for the contest year, and that they would again bring the Cup back with them.  He knew, Tullylagan would be the first to rise to their feet and aplaud them.  The essence of sportmanship is competition.  Without competition none of us could progress and it is that spirit that keeps most of us alive.

Mr Warnock replied in a short speech.  He handed the cup to Mr and Mrs McGregor Greer for them to keep for the ensuing year.

Mr McGregor Greer expressed the great pride it gave him to receive the cup for safe keeping.  They have worked enormously hard for it and may they keep it.  He then presented to the Drum Major (Mr Thomas Artt), on behalf of the band, a beautifully presented staff, draped in the MacGregor Tartan.

Mr Artt, thanking Mr Greer McGregor for his great kindness, also thanked him for the use of the hall, which he had made thears for the asking at any time, and for the high honour that had conferrend on them by asking them to wear the McGregor tartan.  Every man and what can be better than to meet trumph and disaster with an equal mind and in the battle of sport to set the game above the prize? If that is their aim the Cup will never leave Tullylagan.

Mr Greer also presented two silver cigarette cases to Pipe Major Thomas Green, who had coached the Band, and one to Mr William Jeffers of Belfast, for the great interest he had taken in the Band and for all the assistance he had given to the drummers.

Mrs Greer presented Mr Warnock with a handsomely engraved silver teapot on behalf of the President herself and the members of the Band, as a small remembrance of that occassion and for their appreciation of the untiring energy, trouble, thought, and care he had always put into arranging the affairs of the Band. He is always one who wishes to afface himself for the glory of others, a rare gift indeed in any person's character.  While they were there to sing the praises of the Band, who have been so successful, they must not forget the founder. 'May he and his family have many happy days to use this token of our appreciation, regard and esteem'.

Mr Warnock, who was taken entirely by surprise simply said 'Thank You'.

The toast of the King having already being drunk. Mr David Hutchinson, R.D.C. proposed  the toast of Drum Major John Seaton of Glasgow, who is a composer of pipe music, and who from the foundation of the Band, had assisted  and trained it in the reading of the score.  Besides this, his advice on points of band etiquette has been found invaluable.  On the ebb tide Mr Seaton was with them.  He is with them now on the flood tide to rejoice with them in the winning of the cup.

Mr Seaton replied in an amusing Speech, in which he told numerous anecdotes with a broad accent.  Someone in the immediate neighbourhood was heard to declare, "Ye'd swear it was Harry Lander speaking'!"  That his much esteemed and respected friends.  Mr & Mrs MacGregor Greer, are to be the custodiane of the Cup, made his coming there all the more pleasant.  He congratulated the Band on their choice.  They all knew the keen and ungrudging interest and support.  Mr MacGregor Greer had given the band, and said "Believe me, Sir,  they will revere your memory for all time.  They are proud to wear the Tartan of your sires, and they will bring further honour to it.  It had never been worn by a more loyal and lealhearted band of men."

"When Mr Joe Warnock wrote to me saying that my good friend, Tommy Green (who knows all the tricks of the trade), had taken the band in hand, I knew there could be no other result than that which you could have attained. "Mr P.M M'Phedren (the judge at the contest) had told him that there was only one band it it, - that was Tullylagan, and he (the speaker) hoped that he would soon see the band for the Cowal Games, and bringing that trophy back with them.

Mr Rowley Hutchinson thanked Mrs MacGregor Greer for the delightful tea she had provided, and said that although she comes from the South she is a better Ulster Woman than any native of the North.

Mr Clark, on behalf of the Band, thanked the ladies of Tullylagan district for the help they had given with the tea.  They had spared no pains and had surpassed themselves.

Mr MacGregor Greer, in the concluding speech, said that if the band did go to Scotland he felt sure they would not come back empty handed.  He could not praise too highly his great friend "Joe" .  No one know the amount of work he has put into the band from first to last.

"I am proud to know Joe Warnock" he added.  Mr Seaton, Mr Greer and Mr Jeffers had been very kind,  and had taken endless trouble to help the Band.  They are past masters of their art.  He wished the band and all those present, the compliments of the Season and Good Luck in the New Year and in the words of a well known voice, said 'Good Night everybody, good night'.

Apologies for absence were received from Rev. James Bloomer, B.A. of Cookstown, and Rev W.E.R. Scott, M.A. of Tullyhogue, who through illness were unable to be present.

The Band then played their test piece 'The Athol Highlanders March, to Eoch Katherine,' which is composed of a march strathspy and reel and also played several other pieces and Pipe Major Greengive a selection of Highland and Folk Tunes.  Three cheers were given for Mr & Mrs MacGregor Greer and for the Band and the proceeds concluded in an advanced  hour with Auld Lang Syne.