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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 3rd June 2005 - Kilcluney Volunteers - Markethill Tonight took part in the Annual Parde of Kilcluney Volunteers in the nearby town of Markethill. This parade was supported well indeed, as it is probably the biggest band parade to take place in Ulster and 96 bands were in attendance. Through the town, the streets were packed full with supporters cheering on the approaching bands. The band walked with 9 drums and 16 flutes, a fair turnout for us. We also passed several bands during the blow-off section passing bands like Clogher Protestant Boys, Lisburn Young Defenders and Downshire Guiding Star. All bands played well during this part of the parade route. Like last Friday's parade in Dromore, East Belfast Protestant Boys were incredible. They are a real crowd-pleasing band and are definitely a credit to the Ulster band scene. Playing a drum solo in the middle of the town, the crowd were astonished at the sheer quality of their drum corps. This was evident by the after chants of 'We want one more' from the thick line of supporters. Unfortunately due to parade conditions the boys from the East had to march on to the finishing point. Ballyhalbert were also in top form with their ever improving drum corps playing well. Credit is owed to Kilcluney Volunteers for holding a successful and well organised parade. Long may it continue. Friday 10th June 2005 - Pride of the Hill Rathfriland - Rathfriland Tonight the band played on the hills of Rathfriland to support Pride of the Hill for their annual band competition. A lot of bands were on parade supporting the Hill ranging from standard Blood and Thunder to adavanced Melody. On the night, we played with 9 drums and 16 flutes, a nice number which would allow us to fit in to the small Blood and Thunder category. We must have been playing well, as for the second year in a row, we picked up a 3rd Best Small Blood and Thunder place. It is good for any band to gain recognition throughout the season for all the hard work that has taken place throughout the season. For the first time this season, the band played another of our new tunes - 'Young Citizens' along the back roads. Suprisingly for a first attempt it was played pretty well. The judges must have had a hard job deciding who the worthy winners were. Bands such as Ballyhalbert, South Fermanagh Loyalists, Loyal Sons of Benagh, just to name a few were all playing well. Not forgetting to mention the big guns such as East Belfast Protestant Boys, Donaghadee Fusiliers and Clogher Protestant Boys all playing well. Mourne Young Defenders were superb coming in at the end with their much loved drum solo. With their fancy drumming, they make it look so easy. Definitely a crowd pleaser and this was evident by the large cheer after their performance. Well done to Pride of the Hill on holding a successful night. Parade Results Best Senior Drum Major 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - Brunswick Best Blood and Thunder Drum Major 1st - Ulster Grenadiers 2nd - Drumderg Loyalists 3rd - Armagh True Blues Best Accordion 1st - Brunswick 2nd - Ardarragh 3rd - Aughlisnafin Best Colour Party 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - Downshire Guiding Star 3rd - Clogher Protestant Boys / Ulster Grenadiers Marching and Discipline 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Mourne Young Defenders 3rd - Armagh True Blues / Skeogh Style and Appearance 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Mourne Young Defenders 3rd - Drumderg Loyalists Best Bass Drummer 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Drumderg Loyalists 3rd - Lambeg Orange & Blue / Donaghadee Fusiliers Best Melody Drum Corps 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - Lisburn Young Defenders 3rd - Skeogh Best Blood and Thunder Drum Corps 1st - Drumderg Loyalists 2nd - East Belfast Protestant Boys 3rd - Clogher Protestant Boys Best Melody Flute 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - Lisburn Young Defenders 3rd - Skeogh Best Small Blood and Thunder 1st - Armagh True Blues 2nd - Lambeg Orange & Blue 3rd - PORTADOWN DEFENDERS Best Blood and Thunder 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Ballyhalbert 3rd - Drumderg Loyalists Best Overall 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - East Belfast Protestant Boys 3rd - Drumderg Loyalists Saturday 11th June 2005 - Portadown LOL Mini 12th - Portadown Tonight the band were proudly parading in our home town for the Portadown Mini 12th. This also marks the countdown in that it is only 4 weeks until the Glorious Twelfth is with us again. This parade was led by the impressive Millar Memorial, Belfast with a lot of local and visiting bands playing. The furthest from Castlederg, Co. Tyrone were Castlederg Young Loyalists were in attendance. We paraded the town with 11 drums and 19 flutes, one of our biggest turnouts of the year so far. With large crowds and tight streets, the band played very well indeed. Our newest tune 'Young Citizens' was played well for the second time, but there is still room for improvement. From tonight's taster, we all look forward to the 12th day of July in our home town of Portadown. Saturday 11th June 2005 - Armagh True Blues - Armagh Tonight the band travelled the short distance to Armagh for the annual parade of Armagh True Blues. After playing well in Portadown, the band was geared up for another good performance and that is exactly what we achieved. Playing with 9 drums and 19 flutes, we were down in numbers from the earlier parade in Portadown. With crowds packing the town centre, the band played superbly especially with large volume coming from the flute corp. It was also good to see that the crowds enjoyed our music. Playing with only 4 drums and 8 flutes, Castlederg Young Loyalists proved that you do not need big numbers to impress. Playing Go Man Go their drumming was crisp and pleasing. Other impressive bands were Drumderg Loyalists who had over 36 flutes and Donaghadee Fusiliers who were playing very well. Download ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 0:43 - .wmv format ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 1:24 - .wmv format ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 0:53 - .wmv format Friday 17th June 2005 - Drumderg Loyalists - Keady Tonight the band supported Drumderg Loyalists, where we paraded on the outskirts of Keady. With Drumderg Loyalists having the ongoing problem with parading the nationalist Keady town centre, all bands have to parade a country lane outside the town as set by the Parades Commision. Suprisingly for a short parade, a lot of bands return the favour to Drumderg Loyalists for travelling the country in support of other bands across the country. With a lot of bands on show, most bands were disappointedly down in numbers, but this didn't affect their standard of playing. On the night, we played with 8 drums and 16 flutes, the standard average for the band. Playing a maximum of 10 tunes along the parade, we tried our best to impress the judges. Also, for the first time this season, we paraded with a new drum major, who looks bright for the future. A lot of bands were there to impress and Pride of Balinran did just as required. In front of the crowd, they played their much loved drum solo, which was cheered by their audience. With fancy drumming, they were certain to entertain the crowds and judges. 
 Saturday 18th June 2005 - Portadown True Blues - Portadown On a very warm summers night, we had the privellege of walking our home town, in support of Portadown True Blues. The host band was supported well with the tally hitting the 30 mark. Portadown True Blues had the honour of walking the route first, where they paraded with 9 drums and 21 flutes. The first band to walk the town was Pride of the Birches Accordion were they were playing very well. All styles of bands were on show with accordion, pipe, blood and thunder and melody flute all playing. On the night, we paraded the town with 10 drums and 18 flutes. When walking the town we gained a massive reception from the crowds and from the reports we played very well indeed. With crisp fluting and drumming, we impressed the crowds as best to our ability. Our newest tune 'Young Citizens' is improving vastly, as it was played very well. With a lot of talent shown on the night, it would have been hard for the local judges. The newly established Pride of the Derg from Castlederg, were playing very impressive. Pride of Stramore's drum corp is every improving and the future looks bright for the young band. 
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