rspba - north west england branch

Danny Fitzgibbon, along with his two sons, Brian and Danny (Royal Marines), were prime movers in the formation of the once renowned Mount Carmel Pipe Band in 1953, which was based in Salford and which was, under the guidance of P/M Walter MacMinn, to become the only English band ever to attain Grade 1 status.

The family, answering the call by Dougie Auld of Warrington Pipe Band, founded the NW England Branch in 1962. Nick Fagan was the first Branch Secretary, holding this post from 1962 until 1991, moving then to Chairman, the position he holds today. Danny's son Brian was Assistant Secretary from 1962 until November 1974 when he became President. Keith Wilkinson started as Chairman in 1978 and moved to Secretary in 1991.

Chris Eyre was Vice-Chairman from 1993 until 2002. Since then he has been serving as Branch President. Joe Fagan, Danny, Danny's son - (also Danny) 1976 was the high point for the Branch, which then had Mount Carmel in Grade 1, St George's and Warrington in Grade 2, City of Manchester in Grade 3 and several other Grade 4 bands. We also had two excellent Novice Juvenile bands, Warrington Juveniles and St George's C.L.B.

Juveniles, both of which were at this time being placed regularly in contests throughout the country and appeared several times in the prize lists at the Major Championships.