Bleary pipers need your vote for top award

The band is in the running for the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards later this year, the only band from Northern Ireland to be nominated.

The winner will be decided by public vote and that’s where Bleary needs you.

DUP MP David Simpson has shown his support for band in their quest to be hailed Pipe Band of the Year at the awards. The band was nominated on the strength of their competitive success within their relevant grade, rapid improvement, interaction with the community, teaching activity, positive media attention and many other attributes.

Mr Simpson recently attended one of their band practices and was all too keen to show his support and rally the whole of Northern Ireland to vote in support of Bleary and District Pipe Band.

He said, “Bleary and District Pipe Band have a rich history within the Upper Bann constituency having been originally formed in 1956. The band currently under the leadership of Pipe-Major Nigel Davison has been hugely successful over the year and the 2014 competitive season saw Bleary and District build on its success from the previous years with the band winning almost all Northern Ireland Grade 2 contests, competing in every corner of the island from the first weekend of May until the end of August.

“I am proud of the success of Bleary and wish them well for the competition. I would encourage people to get voting. The link for voting is: http://projects.scottishcultureonline.com/scotstradmusicawards/voting/. I want to see Bleary crowned Band of the Year. Voting ends 28th November.”