Season starts in Fermanagh
THE Co Fermanagh band season officially began on Friday night past, with Lisbellaw the first of this year's venues and Derryclavin Pipe the hosts.
The weather was pleasant during the evening, and the pattern of recent years in the county was repeated with an excellent crowd of both spectators in the village and cars lining the roadside to watch the procession. It was a very relaxed atmosphere, with an entertaining mix of bands representing the make up of the movement in Fermanagh, with, in all, nine attending.
The sound of the pipes had the hosts joined on parade by Cavanaleck and Brookeborough Pipes, while the performance of the night came from Maguirebridge Silver. Tempo Silver also illustrated very strongly the immense musical talent within the ranks of the Silver band, while the strains of the accordion were on show by the Lisbellaw Accordion with the Tempo and highly regarded Ballinamallard also maintaining high standards.
Florencecourt Flute have been working hard during the past year to raise standards and as sole flute band on show, they added significantly to the proceedings. In all, a successful night for the organisers, and one that suggests a strong year ahead locally for marching bands.
n SEVERAL other events were scheduled for Friday night, the locations included Antrim Town, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone and Dromore, Co Down.
In Antrim, the Ballycraigy Sons of Ulster Flute held their annual procession and competition, which saw an excellent total of 25 bands take part. Ballycraigy Auld Boys Flute were very entertaining for the watching crowds with their refreshing reintroduction of the style of the late 80s and early 90s, while a trio of Steeple bands – the Defenders, the ‘Veterans’ and the Girls’ band all flew the flag for the movement in Antrim.
Ulster Grenadiers Flute looked impressive in their distinctive white uniforms, with the melody flutes of Sir George White Broughshane and Ballylesson Old Boys Dunmurry adding a welcome change of style to the proceedings.
Gertrude Star and Pride of Knockmore were strong in the Blood and Thunder category, but the smaller bands didn’t disappoint and the flutes of Sons of William Kells, Tullaghans Sons of Liberty Ballymoney, Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Bushmills and Derryloran Boyne Defenders Cookstown were all strong and sharp.
n IN Newtownstewart, the Red Hand Defenders Flute had 32 bands support their traditional procession, with the colour and talent on display being excellent. East Bank Protestant Boys Flute Londonderry and Gortagilly Coronation Flute Moneymore were among the standout bands of the night, though a mention has to be made of the hosts themselves, who paraded at the end of the night with a band of over 40 members and one of their best ever performances. Dromore, Co Down, was the location for the biggest parade of the weekend, as the Skeogh Flute saw 39 bands traverse the town, finishing in the distinctive town square.
n SATURDAY saw a further three events take place, including another Co Antrim venue, this time in the village of Ahoghill where the Sons of William Flute were the organisers. In all 18 bands took part in a well flowing and enjoyable parade, with the Ballymoney duo of Drumnaheagles Young Defenders and Dunaghy Flutes, Coleraine duo of Freeman Memorial and Pride of the Bann, Staffordstown Accordion, Boveedy Flute Kilrea and Fred Crawford Memorial Ballymena among those playing well.
n MEANWHILE in Belfast, the Shankill Road saw the Sons of Ulster Flute host their annual parade and competition, with bands travelling from throughout the country to show their support. The most travelled were possibly the Magherafelt bands of Dunamoney and Ballymoughan Flute, who both maintained their good reputations for playing and parade discipline, while some of the best performances on the night came from other Belfast bands – the Protestant Boys from the east of the city and the Young Conquerors from the west.
n THE third and final venue of the night was in Co Armagh where Lurgan was holding its second successive parade with the Craigavon Protestant Boys Flute, one of the oldest Blood and Thunder bands in the Province. A good attendance saw several bands travelling from Belfast, with Upper Falls Protestant Boys and Monkstown Young Citizen Volunteers Flute’s both strong. Crossgar Young Defenders Flute had an impressive note from the bass drum, while the small bands of Cormeen Rising Sons of William, Lower Woodstock Ulster-Scots and Castlederg Young Loyalists were a testament to their commitment and dedication.
n marching bands have always prided themselves in their free thinking and the immense dedication and commitment within individual bands, and, perhaps, because of this, over the years there has never been an over arching band association or body. In an attempt to create a more unified approach to several important issues, efforts have been made over the past few months to bring together representatives from the many regional and national band associations and groups. The first meeting of this body will be taking place in the coming weeks, and it is hoped that everyone within the scene will recognise its importance and rally behind it. Further details will be released soon.
n Tonight will see the parade of the Lisnamulligan Pipe take place in Rathfriland beginning at 7.45pm, while a busy Friday night will have four events throughout the Country. The Enniskillen Pipe parade will kick off in the Fermanagh capital at 8pm, while in south Armagh the Carnagh Accordion will host its annul parade in Newtownhamilton starting at 7.30pm. The Star of the Roe Flute Limavady parade will begin at the town’s bus station at 8pm, with the night’s other venue, Lisburn City, where Pride of Knockmore Flute’s parade will begin in Linenhall Street at 8pm.
n On Saturday night there is a choice of two events to attend, with Cairncastle Flute Larne beginning at the Narrow Gauge Road Car Park at 8.30pm and Pride of William Flute’s annual parade in Donemana at 8.30pm.
If you would like to publicise cultural, fundraising, competitions or any events related to the Ulster marching band fraternity, Drum Beat will endeavour to use all information supplied. Contact Drum Beat by ringing or texting 07835624221 or emailing admin@ulsterbandsforum.net.
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
