Members of Ashburton Pipe Band performed well at Ashburton’s Festival of Pipe Band Music at the Royal Lawn, Ashburton Domain.
The recent festival drew a large crowd to the gardens who enjoyed the performances in warm, summer conditions.
Band secretary Simon Wallis said it was a good hit out, and gave members areas to work on ahead of the Canterbury provincial competition at Deans Bush, Riccarton, in Christchurch this weekend.
The band will compete on March 2 and 3, and then head to nationals in Auckland on March 15 and 16.
‘‘We were pretty happy with the outing and have a few workings to improve on for the next contest.’’
The Ashburton band was competing in the grade four section of the festival against four other bands – Metro Scottish, Canterbury Caledonian, South Canterbury and McAlpines North Canterbury.
The grade was won by South Canterbury.
Canterbury Caledonian was the only grade three band competing, and Canterbury Caledonian Juvenile the only junior side.
Wallis said the band was down about four or five members due to harvest and other commitments, but had a contingent of 20 heading north, including supporters.
‘‘South Canterbury are in the same grade as us so they will be a bit of a force.
‘‘We hope to do well, and we’re working towards putting in a good performance on the day, and hope the judges will judge accordingly,’’ he said.
The nationals, to be held on the North Shore in Auckland, will be livestreamed and available via link through the website of the Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Association, Wallis said.
