DROITWICH man Patrick Healy has qualified for the world championship in both mouth organ and melodeon after holding onto his British champion title, writes Charlotte Ingleby.
Irish-born Patrick won the mouth organ category for the third time in a row on June 25, defeating previous World championship bronze medalist Lorcan O’ Hara from Leeds.
He also finished top in the senior Melodeon for the first time after usually coming second to Samantha Stone who has won it every year for the last decade.
Patrick moved to Droitwich in the 1960s and has now represented Great Britain on three occasions.
The World championship takes place in Ireland in August.
There are over 400 branches worldwide and each country has regional and national competitions.
Patrick, who plays traditional Irish music on accordion melodeon mouth organ and concertina and is also the Midlands champion, said: “If I win the competition I think I’ll be the first person in Droitwich to win a World championship.”
It is hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the largest worldwide organisation devoted to the promotion and preservation of Irish traditional music, song, dance and language.
Patrick will play a minimum of four tunes from categories including a reel, jig, march, slide, slow-air or barn dance.
Patrick has won 14 medals and trophies over the years, including 11 gold, one sliver and two bronze.
