DRUMBEAT: Uniforms impress in Dunmurry and Lurgan
STAR of the North Flute Dollingstown held their traditional procession in Lurgan on Friday night, with a successful night taking place for the small but dedicated band.
Aghalee Young Volunteers Flute were going well, with the visiting Cloughfern Young Conquerors Flute thoroughly entertaining the crowds. The colour party of Blackskull Orange and Blue continued to make an impression with its tight discipline, while the new uniforms of Upper Falls Protestant Boys Flute also continue to catch the eye.
Last Saturday night the North Antrim village of Armoy saw the Silver Plains Flute Moyarget yearly procession. Fifes and Drums Flute travelled all the way from the Shore Road Belfast, and impressed many in the large crowd, with East Bank Protestant Boys from the Maiden City also striking with an equally as technical melody flute performance.
Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Bushmills were strong, as were Ballybriest Flowers of the Heather Flute Moneymore and Boveedy Flute Kilrea. Ballylesson Old Boys held their event in Dunmurry, with some high quality bands walking the short parade route. Pride of Lagan Valley Flute, Red Hand Defenders Portavogie and the newly formed Dunmurry Protestant Boys were all performing well.
A special mention goes to Star of Down Flute Maghera from Newcastle, Co Down, who were out in their recently unveiled new uniform. The band have recruited strongly over the last year and dramatically improved both their music and discipline, which combined with the new uniform saw them awarded a placing in the style and appearance category on the night.
The tremendous scale and depth of the Ulster marching band scene is no better illustrated than this weekend, when every county in the province, plus Belfast, will host at least one event.
On Friday night the South Armagh village of Newtownhamilton sees the annual parade of Carnagh Accordion, Dromore in Co Down, the annual event of Skeogh Flute and in Fermanagh the Derryclavin Pipe procession will take place in Lisbellaw.
In Co Tyrone, the Red Hand Defenders Flute are the organisers in Newtownstewart, while in Antrim the Ballycraigy Sons of Ulster Flute are holding their 40th anniversary parade.
Saturday afternoon has the first major event of the year for the pipe band fraternity, with the RSPBA competition in Banbridge, that night bringing another list of band parades across the country.
The annual procession for Pride of the Valley Flute Teenies will take place in Broughshane, led this year by Cloughmills Crown Defenders, with the North West town of Limavady is the location for Edenmore Flute.
Pride of William Flute are the hosts in Donemana, Sons of Ulster on Belfast’s Shankill Road, with Lurgan seeing the 45th anniversary parade for Craigavon Protestant Boys Flute.
Another event of interest this weekend for the broad band community are charity concerts in aid of the Royal Irish Regiment and Irish Guards Benevolent Fund. Both events take place at 7.30pm in Coleraine College, Carthall Road on Friday and Saturday night with admission £5.
On Friday night the line-up will include Ballywillan Flute, Ballyrashane Flute, Dunloy Accordion old Boys and Coleraine Fife and Drum. Saturday night’s line-up will consist of Articlave Flute, Maiden City Beat, Churchill Flute and a parade of standards and act of remembrance.
*If you would like to publicise fundraising, competition, cultural or indeed any events related to the large Ulster marching band community you can contact Drum Beat by ringing or texting Quincey on 07835624221 or emailing admin@ulsterbandsforum.net, with all contributions, opinions and news from the country’s thriving band movement very welcome.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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