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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 6th May 2005 - Pride of Stramore - Gilford Last night, travelled the short distance to Gilford for the 2nd annual parade of Pride of Stramore. Last year, the host band successfully carried out their first parade, with around 25 bands in attendance. That was a mid-week parade. The host band might have had difficulties reaching that amount this year, with various other parades taking place, including the 90th Anniversary of the UVF heading off to war. In Gilford, the band played solidly with 6 drums and 12 flutes. For a first, the band played our new tune of 'Marching On' in the middle of Gilford, with no problems. With heavy rain battering down on us, it dampened the atmosphere and soured everyone's happiness. A very impressive South Down Defenders, Newry were going very well, who were playing behind us. Also Queensway, Derriaghy were playing well, who are ever improving their standards. After the Gilford parade, it was another short travel to Dromore for the parade of Skeogh. Best Colour Party Mourne Young Defenders Best Drum Major Drumderg Loyalists Best Drumcore Drumderg Loyalists Best Accordion Corbet Best Small Blood & Thunder Ballyrea Young Defenders Best Blood & Thunder Drumderg Loyalists Best Melody Mourne Young Defenders Best Overall Mourne Young Defenders Friday 6th May 2005 - Skeogh FB - Dromore After Gilford, the band completed the short route in Dromore, to support Skeogh. We were late to arrive, and already the Dromore square was thriving with atmosphere. A large selection of bands were on parade, with serveral melody bands like Mourne Young Defenders, Kilkeel, Ballylesson Old Boys; accordion bands such as the popular Corbet Acc., Banbridge; and your flute bands. Armagh True Blues and Downshire were some of the quality bands on show. The band paraded with 5 drums and 16 flutes in Dromore, a slight increase from the Gilford parade. The band played well finishing the parade playing 'Auld Orange Flute' and by gaining the support from the cheeful crowd. Blood and Thunder Drum Major Clogher Protestant Boys Junior Drum Major Ballylesson Old Boys Senior Drum Major Mourne Young Defenders Colour Party Mourne Young Defenders Blood & Thunder Bass Drummer Drumderg Loyalists Other Bass Drummer Mourne Young Defenders Blood & Thunder Drum Corps Drumderg Loyalists Other Drum Corps Lisburn Young Defenders Blood & Thunder Style & Appearance Clogher Protestant Boys Other Style & Appearance Mourne Young Defenders Best Accordian Band Corbet Best Blood & Thunder Band Drumderg Loyalists Best Melody Band Mourne Young Defenders Best Local Band Clogher Protestant Boys Best Overall Mourne Young Defenders Saturday 7th May 2005 - Craigavon Protestant Boys - Lurgan The band attended the annual parade of Craigavon Protestant Boys in the nearby town of Lurgan. A smaller amount of spectators were there than the previous Lurgan parade a week previous. On a cold night and after Portadown FC lifted the Irish Cup, the band played well with 10 drums and 17 flutes. Being of the laster bands to arrive, we had missed the start of the parade, with other bands attending the Sons of Ulster parade on the Shankill Road. The band finished nicely with 'Marching On' a new number into the bands playlist. With a total of 18 bands on show, many other bands were playing well. Castlederg Young Loyalists, who were in low numbers played very well, proving that quality is better than quantity. Pride of the Stramore from Gilford were also playing well. This parade was independantly judged. Style & Appearance 1st - Kilcuney Volunteers 2nd - Pride of Knockmore 3rd - Downshire Guiding Star Bass Drum 1st - Pride of Knockmore 2nd - Kilcuney Volunteers 3rd - Star of the North Dollingstown Colour Party 1st - Downshire Guiding Star 2nd - Monkstown YCV 3rd - South Down DUP Drum Corp 1st - Star of the North Dollingstown 2nd - Pride of Knockmore 3rd - Kilcuney Volunteers B&T 1st - Pride of Knockmore 2nd - Kilcuney Volunteers 3rd - Downshire Guiding Star Overall 1st - Pride of Knockmore 2nd - Kilcuney Volunteers 3rd - Downshire Guiding Star Friday 13th May 2005 - Sons of William Rathfriland - Rathfriland Tonight we paraded in the cold town of Rathfriland, to support the Sons of William. With crowds poor and the atmosphere low on arrival, things soon hotted up towards the end. The low crowds may have been due to the fact that Pride of Knockmore were also holding their parade on the same night. Despite any Friday 13th superstition, the band played well with a modest 9 drums and 16 flutes up and down the Hills. Coming in at the end, an excellently played Last of the Mohicens, by Drumderg Loyalists was unbelievable. A real crowd pleaser, which had most of the crowd in astonishment by the quality of the South Armagh outfit. Other bands worth a mention were Ballynahinch Young Loyalists and Kinallen, with both superb on the bass drum. 
 Saturday 14th May 2005 - East Belfast Protestant Boys - East Belfast Tonight, the band paraded the streets of East Belfast, in support of East Belfast Protestant Boys. The streets of the Newtownards Road were packed with supporters cheering on all bands, building an electric atmosphere. The only downside of the parade, was trying to get started. Many bands were lined up ready to start the long parade, but were forced back by long delays. We were waiting anything close to one hour, trying to get on parade. Maybe this is something the host band can work on in future parades. Playing crisp and solid, the band marched with 8 drums and 17 flutes. With a variation of tunes being played during the long walk, no complaints were to be heard. With a large turnout of bands, quality was available by the dozen. One of the best bands on show was Donaghadee Fusiliers. Showing great quality in both flute and drum core, it is no wonder they are highly respected in the band scene. Best Melody Drum Major 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - UVF Regimental Band 3rd - Fifes & Drums Best Melody Drum Corps 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - UVF Regimental Band 3rd - Pride of Ballinran Best Melody Flute 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - UVF Regimental Band 3rd - Pride of Ballinran Best Style and Appearance 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - UVF Regimental Band 3rd - Cambuslang Britannia Best Colour Party 1st - Mourne Young Defenders 2nd - Goldsprings True Defenders 3rd - Drumderg Loyalists Best Blood and Thunder Drum Major 1st - Drumderg Loyalists 2nd - Donaghadee Fusiliers Best Blood and Thunder Drum Corps 1st - Donaghadee Fusiliers 2nd - Drumderg Loyalists 3rd - Clogher Protestant Boys Best Blood and Thunder Bass Drum 1st - Drumderg Loyalists 2nd - Kilcluney Volunteers 3rd - Pride of Lagan Valley Best Blood and Thunder Band 1st - Drumderg Loyalists 2nd - Pride of the Hill (Rathfriland) 3rd - Clogher Protestant Boys/Kilcluney Volunteers (Joint) Best Accordian Band Lord Carson Memorial Best Visiting Band Mourne Young Defenders Best Overall Band Mourne Young Defenders Download ·Video - Portadown Defenders - 0:53 - .wmv format Friday 20th May - Donaghadee Fusiliers - Donaghadee Tonight the band decided to venture along the coast to Donaghadee, to support the well respected Donaghadee Fusiliers. Despite bad weather during the day, the parade seemed to pass off without any major down-pour. Playing with 6 drums and 17 flutes, the band played well, especially coming back in along the promenade playing 'Marching On'. Along the parade the crowd cheered and jeered giving the band members an adrenalin rush to play louder and harder, something that every parade needs. With 43 bands in attendance, quality wouldn't be too hard to find. With 'big-guns' like East Belfast Protestant Boys, Drumderg Loyalists, Pride of the Hill Rathfriland all playing, the judges must have had a tough time deciding the rightful winners. Sons of Ulster from the Shankill Road were playing well, as were Clogher Protestant Boys and Newtownards Protestant Boys, who were playing with 28 flutes. Parade Results Best Accordian Harbour Star Senior Drum Major 1st - Ballymacarrett Defenders 2nd - UVF Regimental 3rd - Somme Memorial Junior Drum Major 1st - Armagh True Blues 2nd - Ulster Grenadiers 3rd - Goldsprings True Defenders Colour Party 1st - Pride of the Hill Rathfriland 2nd - Clogher Protestant Boys 3rd - Ulster Grenadiers/Goldsprings True Defenders(Joint) Style & Appearance 1st - Pride of Ballinran 2nd - UVF Regimental 3rd - East Belfast Protestant Boys Melody Drum Corps 1st - Pride of Ballinran 2nd - Ballymacarrett Defenders 3rd - Pride of the Raven Melody Flute 1st - Pride of Ballinran 2nd - UVF Regimental 3rd - Ballymacarrett Defenders B&T Bass Drum 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Lambeg Orange and Blue 3rd - Armagh True Blues B&T Drum Corps 1st - East Belfast Protestant Boys 2nd - Drumderg Loyalists 3rd - Clogher Protestant Boys Small B&T 1st - Armagh True Blues 2nd - Goldsprings True Defenders 3rd - Lambeg Orange and Blue Blood & Thunder 1st - Drumderg Loyalists 2nd - Dunamoney 3rd - East Belfast Protestant Boys Visiting Band Dunamoney Lead Tip Clogher Protestant Boys Overall 1st - Pride of Ballinran 2nd - East Belfast Protestant Boys 3rd - Armagh True Blues 
 Friday 27th May 2005 - Kinallen FB - Dromore Tonight the band travelled to the County of Down to support Kinallen Flute Band from Dromore. With rain and all sorts threatning to ruin the night, thankfully this did not happen. The parade was well supported by bands across the country. Dromore is a parade favourited by many with it's tight environment and static atmosphere at the finishing point. The band played with 6 drums and 13 flutes, possibly one of our lowest turnouts this year. This is more than likely due to the fact that we have an early start tomorrow for the JLOL parade. The band played extremely well on the return journey, especially going past Clogher Protestant Boys. A band double our size and which we tried to give it our best playing 'Pack Up Your Troubles'. One band that looked and sounded very impressive tonight was East Belfast Protestant Boys. With their white trousers and large numbers, they were a strong contender for the Style and Appearance award. Also, Steeple Defenders, Antrim were impressive with their new uniforms. 
 Saturday 28th May 2005 - Co Armagh / Co Down JLOL - Bangor This was the first parade of the year were the band were involved with a loyal order. We led Corcrain Juniors from Corcrain Orange Hall early in the morning, which is located in a predominantly Nationalist area. From last night right through to this morning, a lot of people knew that the weather wasn't going to be as good as expected and unfortunately this was the case. Rain threatened the whole day, but on our way home the sun seemed to find it's way out. Typical. The weather didn't stop our band having a day's outting and neither did it stop the other bands that participated. Bands participated from right across Counties Armagh and Down with bands from far away from County Monaghan. The number of Blood and Thunder bands were down on last year. Blood and Thunder bands on the day included Portadown True Blues, Pioneers, South Down DUP, and Drumderg Loyalists, as well as ourselves. The band entertained the streets of Bangor with 10 drums and 19 flutes. One of the largest turnout the band have had this season. The band played well in Bangor, especially on the 'blow-off' section. A great day was had by all, and we all look forward to next years parade. 
 Saturday 28th May 2005 - Pioneers FB - Lurgan After a long day in Bangor, the band supported the Pioneers Flute Band in their home town of Lurgan. This parade was well supported especially from Belfast bands, which is very good to see. With Celtic winning the Scottish Cup Final previously in the day, it was thought that a large amount would been out supporting the parade as well, but only a handful were to be seen. Losing several members from the mornings parade, we played with 9 drums and 16 flutes. Large dosages of strength and stamina were needed for this parade due to the constant blow-offs. We came up against many bands mainly the 'big-guns' including South Belfast Young Conquerors, Pride of the Hill Rathfriland and Clogher Protestant Boys. The most impressive band on the night was Shankill Protestant Boys. They walked in rows of 6, with at least 15 drums and 37 flutes. Really an amazing sight. A credit to the band scene. Other bands playing well on the night were Clogher Protestant Boys, Downshire Guiding Star and Pride of Knockmore. 
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