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Around 1920 a group of young men from Newtownards made a bus journey to the near by seaside town of Bangor.
During the journey they were entertained by a piper, who played his bagpipes on the upper deck of the bus. So inspired were the young men, with the playing, that they decided to approach the piper, with the idea of forming a pipe band based in Newtownards.
The omnibus piper was William John Barbour, who was from the town, and he was most agreeable to the idea.
And so the venture began!
The band was formally founded in May 1922, with founding members including, James Napier, Sam McAuley, Robert J McMillan, James Anderson and of course W J Barbour.
A committee of trustees was soon appointed, and included William Webb, James Smith, Alec Filson, and Captain B Wright. The trustees secured a loan from the local Northern Bank, and the journey was made to Burns shop, in Castle Lane, Belfast, for the purchase of twelve Glen practice chanters.
Around this time, Newtownards lost one of its most popular and highly respected citizens, when Rev. Dr. William Wright, minister of the First Newtownards Presbyterian Church, sadly passed away.
The committee sought, and were given, permission by the Wright family, to name the band in honour of the late Dr.Wright, as a lasting memorial to his good works for the people of Newtownards.
The band still retains the name today, some eighty years later.
The first band practice was held in a photographers studio in William Street, with W J Barbour taking charge of the pipers.
The drummers practiced in the studio darkroom, under the tutorage of Victor Neill, perhaps better known as the Great Tricky.
Jim Anderson played bass drum at that first practice.
The dedication and practice paid off, and on 12th July 1923, fourteen members of the Dr.Wright Memorial Pipe Band, paraded proudly at the annual 12th July celebrations, held in Bangor.
The band paraded in civilian clothes in this their first engagement.
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| Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band, The first parade, 12th July 1923. |
The practice and hard work continued, with great effort being directed at raising the necessary monies to purchase uniforms for the band.
In 1925 the band took delivery of sixteen traditional Scottish uniforms, complete with Gordon tartan kilts.
The band still proudly wears the Gordon to this day!
The band continued relatively unchanged until 1935, when it was restructured, with Mr David Majury taking over the mantle of Pipe Major.
New trustees were also appointed in this year, with responsibility for all band equipment. The trustees included such names as J Skimmons, H Stewart, T Gamble and S McGimpsey.
It was also around this time, that the tenor drum was first introduced into the band.
Mr Billy McDonald gave instruction and tuition on this new instrument.
The tenor drum is now of course, an integral part of any modern day pipe band.
Newtownards with the rest of Europe entered the dark era of the Second World War.
A number of band members left the ranks of the Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band, to join the ranks of HM Forces overseas.
Unfortunately a few were not to return.
The band did continue through the difficult years of the war, with practice being held twice weekly at the old McCleans schoolroom in Mill Street.
In 1942 Mr Sandy McGimpsey accepted the role of Pipe Major. This acceptance was to see Sandy in the front row right position for many years to come.
Sandy considered that the band had potential for competition success, and in November 1948 the band competed in the Junior contest held in the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band finished only one quarter of a point behind the eventual winners, Cullybackey Pipe band.
This success whetted the appetite for competition, with the band bringing home the silver on many further occasions.
Mention the name of the Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band, and many Ards folk will be reminded of the legendary Scotch Nights.
This event, which was to span some eighteen years, started as the bands annual fete.
It grew in popularity, and before long bandsmen and women, and their supporters, came from all over the province to enjoy the spectacle and colour of our own competition.
Messrs. Joe Shaw and Billy Wood were among the judges who had the difficult job of picking the best at these enjoyable nights.
The evening usually rounded off with a dance held in one of the towns local halls.
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| Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band, Belfast 1950s. |
In 1971 Sandy McGimpsey retired from the position of Pipe Major, his successor being Mr John Johnston.
The band continued to be a familiar sight parading in the Ards area, and competing locally, and in Scotland.
1979 was to see the band travel to the small coastal town of Lorient, in Brittany, France. During the ten day trip the band performed in many events as part of the Celtic Festival.
Band members have always taken a great pride in their style and appearance.
It is a great credit to the Senior Drum Major that many prizes have been won by the band for M&D, marching and deportment.
The first Drum Major in 1922 was Mr Tommy McMeekin. Tommy was presented with a chrome headed mace bearing the red hand with five pointed star.
This mace was used for many years by a succession of drum majors.
These have included Mr John Mathers, Mr Hamilton Lawther, Mr Joe McMaster, Mr David Monan, and Miss Carol Strain.
The Senior Drum Major has been ably assisted over the years by the Juniors.
Junior Drum Majors have included Ian and Jayne Plunkett, Kyle and Kathryn Murdoch, Pamela Martin and Fiona Ramsey.
Ian McGreechan was also Junior Drum Major with The Wrights, going on to become Junior World Champion in 1974 and 1975.
Ian was later to become an adjudicator with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
In 1995, Ian had the honour of leading the worlds biggest ever pipe band through the streets of Edinburgh as part of the Marie Curie Cancer Appeal Fund.
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| Senior Drum Major, James Murdoch. |
The current Senior Drum Major is Mr James Murdoch, a long serving and highly respected band member, who has won many competitions and accolades over the years.
James is also an adjudicator and judge for the RSPBA, and can be seen at most contests judging drum majors and bands at all grades.
James is assisted by our current Junior Drum Major, Miss Lara Dobson.
Lara is also busy winning prizes in the arena of Scottish dancing.
The band went into the 1980s with Robin Plunkett at the helm.
Big Robin was appointed as pipe major in 1981, and led the band to many contest successes at home, and in Scotland.
The band continued to represent the town of Newtownards, winning overall best band on two occasions at the City of Belfast Lord Mayors show.
Robin retired as pipe major in 1990, but is still actively involved with the band as a much valued committee member.
Robert McVeigh took over as pipe major until 1993, when current pipe major Jim Ferguson took the reins.
Jims commitment and dedication paid off on 9th August 1997.
Glasgow Green, Scotland was the setting for the World Pipe Band Championships. The band competed in, and won, this prestigious event grade 4A.
Barry Cinnamond also brought home the title of World Champion Bass Drummer in grade 4a.
This success prompted a weekend of celebrations by the band members and their supporters.
Newtownards, at last, had its own World Champion pipe band.
Following another winter of hard practice the band was promoted to grade 3B.
On 8th August 1998, the band again travelled to Glasgow, this time to compete in the higher grade.
Quite a stir was created in the pipe band world, when Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band won Grade 3B, and became World Champions for the second year in succession.
For success at the World Championships all aspects of the band must be considered to be the best.
Angus Johnston has been Lead Drummer with the band for many years, giving instruction and inspiration to the back row men.
And Angus certainly had created a drum corp, which was second to none.
Many faces have come and gone over the years.
But a few band stalwarts have remained, giving many years of dedicated service.
Robin Plunkett and Robert Lemon were both pipers with the band for many years, and are still actively involved in an organisational role.
Brothers Jim and Tom Ferguson, current Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant both started with the band as boy pipers.
Father and son Ernie and Karl Turkington have been pipers with the band for over a decade now, and are renowned for their regular and punctual attendance at almost every band practice.
Karl is currently serving as pipe corporal.
The Dobson family have also been actively involved with the band.
With husband and wife Roy and Olive, their son Roy Jnr, and their granddaughter Lara all contributing over the years.
It can be seen that the band has been a way of life, for many families from the Ards area.
Many non-playing members have also provided much valued support.
Mr David McKeag has been Road Manager for many years.
While Mr Tom Caughers has been a great supporter of the band, providing a welcome cup of tea on many occasions.
From those humble beginnings in 1923, when fourteen bandsmen first went on parade, to the dizzy heights of becoming World Champions.
The Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band has brought, and continues to bring the skirl of the pipes, and the swing of the kilt to the people of Newtownards.
Band members have been ambassadors for the town at home, overseas, and abroad.
Band practice is held Monday and Thursday evenings, 8.00pm to 10.00pm, in the Orange Hall, Mary Street, Newtownards.
Old and new members assured of a warm welcome.
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