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Forthcoming Events
Friday 13 August Queensway FB Dunmurry Wedneday 18 August Tamnamore FB Tamnamore FRIDAY 20 AUGUST PORTADOWN DEFENDERS FB ANNUAL BAND PARADE AND COMPETITION PORTADOWN Click here for more info PRACTISE INFO HERE Follow PDFB: 
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April | May | June | July | August | September Friday 1st July - Somme Memorial Parade - Killylea Like any other 1st of July, we remembered those who paid the ultimate sacrafices at the Battle of the Somme, on the 1st July 1916. We led Clounagh Apprentice Boys of Derry from Clounagh Orange Hall, through the local estates where we then left a wreath of rememberance at the cenotaph in the centre of Portadown. At the cenotaph, we played several tunes including Volunteers and Hope and Glory. As it was a warm summers evening, the heat may have got the better of our performance as we weren't playing at our optimum best. We played with 9 drums and 14 flutes, playing a selection of tunes through our home town. This has been the 4th weekend in a row that the band has played in our home town, which is always something special. Any other year, the band usually support Ballyrea Boyne Defenders in their annual parade in Killylea, but the band felt this would be impossible this year due to band members having other commitments. Saturday 9th July - Central Scotland GLOL 12th - Alloa Another year gone and it was time for Portadown Defenders FB to participate in the Central Scotland 12th Celebrations. This year the main demonstration was held in Alloa. The band travelled over to Scotland on Friday morning with around 30 people making the journey. Our boat was delayed, so the band made the most of the Ulster sunshine before heading across the water. We were booked in for the Stena HSS, which flew over the water of the Irish Sea. Once docked in Scotland, most of the band just wanted to reach the village of Glenmavis as soon as possible, to soak up the sunshine and make the most of the weekend. The band would be be based in Glenmavis, were we have had a relationship with Glenmavis Derry Defenders and Sons of William FB for 31 years. Once we had arrived and we had been accomodated, the band had to assemble at Glenmavis Social Club where we would be playing several tunes in the packed out hall. We played for around half an hour in the static atmosphere. A short clip of PDFB playing can be found here. We borrowed the bass drum of Sons of William as we were saving ours for the big day ahead. We received a superb reception in the club by the good people of Glenmavis. Following our performance, it was then time for Sons of William to play their piece. They played well, performing an array of tunes that definitely pleased the crowd. A short clip of their performance can be found here. Next we knew it was time for the big day. The band started the day by leading Glenmavis Derry Defenders LOL 276 from the social club, then parading the village before making the long walk into Airdrie town centre to meet the Airdrie district. We paraded the streets of Scotland with 6 drums, 13 flutes, 2 bass drummers and 2 in the colour party. As per usual, we weren't playing our best during the walk from Glenmavis, as most of the band were hungover and tired from the previous night. A large crowd had gathered in Airdrie, were they watched Airdrie District LOL 1 parade the town. We played a large variation of tunes during the parade including our bandmasters favourite Dolly's Brae. We then got bussed to the main demonstration in Alloa, where a large colourful display of bands and Orange Brothers and Sisters had assembled waiting on the parade to commence. A large crowd had also gathered who were waiting for the banter to start as the bands passed by. Coming out of the park playing Eaton Boat Song was superbly played as the crowd got below us and cheered us all on. The most famous saying of the day was 'Go on the Portydoon' which definitely gets all band members hyped to play their best to the supporters satisfaction. During the parade the crowd were more than happy to sing along to our songs like Derry's Walls, Sash, Follow Follow which definitley boosted the atmosphere. On the return journey we then paraded Airdrie and Glenmavis to round of the days events. A long day had ended with tiredness and pain as we had paraded in extreme heat all day. We would like to take this oppurtunity to thank all those that made the weekend as enjoyable as possible and without your help it would not be possible for us to participate in the long weekend of events. Downloads · VIDEO - Portadown Defenders - Glenmavis Social Club - WMV format - 2.21MB - 1:59 mins · VIDEO - Sons of William - Glenmavis Social Club - WMV format - 1.86MB - 1:40 mins Tuesday 12th July 2005 - Co Armagh 12th Celebrations - Portadown The Glorious Twelfth day of July started early, with a dedication of our new uniforms taking place at 7.30am. The service was conducted by the District Chaplain, who prayed for the band to have a prosperous future with the new uniforms. The start of a very long day began by our feeder parade starting at around 8.00am, where we departed Corcrain Orange Hall, leading Corcrain Purple Rockets LOL 339 in our brand new uniforms. The feeder parade also included Clonmacash Pipe Band as well as 2 other orange lodges. As always, the parade was proposed to enter Obins Street, but this was rejected by the PSNI as this is a Nationalist area. We were then forced to parade the longer journey to the town centre, which included passing bonfires still burning from the previous nights celebrations. The Portadown District parade left Carleton Street shortly after 9.00am where it would then parade the town before taking place in the main demonstration. After the town parade, it was nearly 10.00am and ready for the main demonstration to take place. The demonstration was led by Edgarstown Accordion. The parade started from the Carrickblacker Road in the town, where it then paraded through the town centre en route to the field in the Armagh Road. The size of the crowds was fastly increasing as we paraded the town part of the Portadown District. After the 3 mile walk to the demonstration field, we had to complete the walk again. This time with a Bessbrook lodge. The town centre and especially close to the demonstration field, crowds were several lines deep. A lot of people were enticed to watch the display by the fine weather that hailed down on us. Temperatures were soaring and the sunburn added to the pain factor of all those participating. After a long, hard earned break, it was time to complete the return journey with Corcrain Purple Rockets. Portadown District was the last district was last to leave the demonstration field at approximately 5.00pm. On the return journey, we received a superb reception from the on-looking crowds on the Armagh Road. After returning to Corcrain Orange Hall at about 7.00pm, it was time to relax after a hard day's work. On the day we paraded with 11 drums, 19 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 1 drum major and 4 colour party, overal total of 37 members. 
 Wednesday 13th July 2005 - Scarva RBP - Scarva After a long day on the 12th of July, something similar was to happen again as we participated in the Royal Black parade in Scarva. The demonstration also includes a reconstruction of King James' defeat to King William. On the day, we led Coracrain RBP 141, which started off by leaving Corcrain Orange Hall at 8.30am. 3 bands were participating in this feeder parade; Pride of the Village FB, Broomhedge; Portadown Defenders FB and Clonmacash Pipe Band. We arrived in Carleton Street shortly after 9.00am, where we were again on parade, with Portadown Distrcit Chapter No. 5 to parade the town centre before departing to Scarva for the main demonstration. The Portadown District parade was well represented with bands, with around 11 participating. As per usual, Portadown travel to Scarva via train. This year, the Nationalists decided to plant a bomb scare along the line, which would disrupt the train services. Trains were delayed by about 30 minutes after the line had been cleared of any bombs. This was the second consecutive day Nationalists had planted a scare on the line, trying to disrput our celebrations. On the 12th morning, the Lisburn to Portadown line was closed due to a device being planted on the line. This forced Lurgan District LOL to travel to the Portadown Demonstration by bus at short notice. Meanwhile, Scarva village was packed out with over 100,000 being reported in the small village. The '13th July' is a massive tourist attraction and is always growing bigger. We paraded the village with 11 drums, 19 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 1 drum major and 4 colour party, overall total of 37 members. Drumderg Loyalists, Keady were one of the biggest on the day with 36 flutes. Their membership is amazing considering the village of Keady is mainly Nationalist and the Protestant community are constantly under attack. After parading Scarva, it was time to head home to Portadown, where a very large crowd had gathered in the town centre. For the second day in a row, the weather was scorching, restraining band members gasping for a breath of air. Finishing off at Corcrain Orange Hall, we deliberately played several recognisable Loyalist tunes to the watching Nationalists who seemed more than happy to watch the procession finish off. For their benefit we played the Sash, Lily'O and of course finishing off with the National Anthem. 
 Friday 29th July 2005 - Bessbrook True Blues - Bessbrook Tonight the band supported Bessbrook True Blues as their annual band parade took place. This was the bands first parade in 16 days; and our first competition parade in a whopping 41 days. After the long break, a lot of the band members were desperate to get back into the band scene. The weather wasn't ideal before the parade with severe rainshowers beating from the skyes above, although when we arrived the rain had thankfully stopped. We paraded the model village of Bessbrook with 8 drums, 14 flutes, 1 bass drummer, 3 colour party and 1 drum major. Overall numbers were down due to this being a popular holiday month. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. The 16 day break may have done us good, as we played pretty well. Starting off with Daddy's Uniform, the determination was noticeably there. A moderate crowd had gathered in the village centre, but the atmopshere soured due to the miserable weather. This parade was well represented from bands across Ulster, especially with another Flute Band parade taking place in Maghera. Red Hand Defenders, Downpatrick were very impressive in their new uniforms. The band have maintained the 'shirt and tie' approach, which looks very smart. Their bass drum was also very loud, despite being affected by the rain. South Fermanagh Loyalists were also impressive on the night, playing with a larger flute core of 16. Their drum corps are also improving to a very high standard. Download ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 0:37 - .wmv format - 0.97MB Awards Collected 1st Small Blood and Thunder 1st Small Bass Drum 1st Small Drum Corps 2nd Small Style and Appearance 3rd Regimental Colour Party Parade Results Small Blood and Thunder Drum Corps 1. Portadown Defenders 2. Charles Watson Memorial 3. South Down Defenders Small Blood and Thunder Bass Drum 1. Portadown Defenders 2. South Down Defenders 3. Ballynahinch Protestant Boys Small Blood and Thunder Style and Appearance 1. Rising Sons of the Valley, Kilkeel 2. Portadown Defenders 3. Downshire Guiding Star / Tamnamore Small Blood and Thunder Overall 1. Portadown Defenders 2. South Down Defenders 3. Charles Watson Memorial Large Blood and Thunder Drum Corps 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Drumderg Loyalists 3. Clogher Protestant Boys Large Blood and Thunder Bass Drum 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Clogher Protestant Boys 3. Armagh True Blues Large Blood and Thunder Style and Appearance 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Drumderg Loyalists 3. Newtownards Protestant Boys Large Blood and Thunder Overall 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Drumderg Loyalists / Clogher Protestant Boys 3. Donaghadee Fusiliers Best Local Band 1. Drumderg Loyalists 2. Armagh True Blues 3. Enagh Accordion Best Visiting Band 1. Ballyhalbert 2. South Fermangh Loyalists 3. Drumaheagles Best Accordion 1. Enagh Accordion Senior Drum Major 1. Fife & Drums Junior Drum Major 1. Blair Memorial 2. Clogher Protestant Boys 3. Newtownards Protestant Boys Colour Party 1. Portavogie 2. Pride of the Hill, Rathfriland 3. Drumderg Loyalists Regimental Colour Party 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Downshire Guiding Star 3. Portadown Defenders Melody Style and Appearance 1. Fife & Drums Best Lead Tip 1. Drumderg Loyalists 2. Armagh True Blues 3. Donaghadee Fusiliers Best Overall 1. East Belfast Protestant Boys 2. Drumderg Loyalists 3. Fife & Drums 
 Saturday 30th July 2005 - South Belfast Young Conquerors - South Belfast For our first afternoon competition parade of the year, we supported South Belfast Young Conquerors on their annual band parade along Donegal Pass. Like Bessbrook True Blues' parade, the rain had threatened to ruin the parade, but thankfully it held off for most of the parade. This parade has been well supported in the past, but this year the host band had less supporting bands, with an overall total of 43 bands. This is always a well supported parade by the crowd, as deep rows of cheering loyalists and tourists were gathered throughout the parade. For the second day in a row, the band played very well - parading with 11 drums, 14 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 3 colour party and 1 drum major; total of 31 members. We started off by playing Number One Platoon which was a well performed, which continued throughout the parade. For most participating bands, the Donegal Road is probably their favourite section of the parade, with the constant 'blow-off's'. We came up against more than 10 bands and for each band we played against we gave our best effort, to try and be the loudest at the time. Bands that gave us the hardest time were probably Red Hand Defenders, Portavogie; Kilcluney Volunteers and Golsprings True Defenders. For the second consecutive parade, we collected the 1st Small Blood & Thunder award, which is a great achievement. One award out of two days would be a boost for us, but 4 1st's in two days is something extraordinary. Clogher Protestant Boys were playing well with a large drum corps being present. Their excellent performance was evident in the awards, as Clogher collected the 1st Blood & Thunder award. Download ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 0:38 - .wmv format - 1.00MB Awards Collected 1st Small Blood and Thunder 
 Saturday 30th July 2005 - Harris Boyle & Wesley Sommerville Memorial Parade - Portadown After a long day in South Belfast for the South Belfast Young Conquerors' parade, the band then paraded the streets of Killicomaine to remember the 30th anniversary of the deaths of Private Harris Boyle and Lieutenant Wesley Sommerville, who were both killed in action on 31 July 1975. This was an invite only parade and 10 bands were on parade - Armagh True Blues; South Fermanagh Loyalists; Portadown True Blues; Portadown Defenders; Downshire Guiding Star; Bessbrook True Blues; Craigavon Protestant Boys; Rising Sons of the Valley; Castlederg Young Loyalists and The Pioneers. Each band paraded to the mural dedicated to both fallen volunteers, where a wreath was laid, followed by a short service and 2 minutes silence. We paraded our home town with 11 drums, 16 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 4 colour party and 1 drum major; total of 34. Although numbers were up from the previous parade, our performance standard had lowered. Coming past the memorial we played Daddy's Uniform, a very symbolical anthem for the occasion. Out of the 10 bands, The Pioneers, Lurgan were probably the best performers, by playing with only 3 drums and 6 flutes. For their low numbers, they played well. Castlederg Young Loyalists were also looking well with their new uniforms and their new bannerette. The future looks bright for this 'wee' band. 
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