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Friday 3rd September 2005 - Volunteer Brian Robinson Memorial Parade - West Beflast

Our first parade of September was to remember a volunteer, who lost his life through the troubles. 27-year-old, Volunteer Brian Robinson was killed in action by an undercover British Army soldier, on the Crumlin Road on 2 September 1989. Every year this parade is well supported and the weather is usually good and this year there was no exception. Bands had travelled from across the British Isles to remember this fallen hero. 2 bands from Liverpool had travelled the distance, as had a dozen bands from Scotland, which was very good to see. It is rumoured that around 70 bands had paid their support. As expected, a lot of stoppages took place throughout the parade as bands took time to lay wreath at the mural in honour of Brian Robinson, which was recently re-painted.

We paraded with 6 drums, 15 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 1 colour party; overall total of 24 members. A lot of bands struggle to have a full band out on Saturday afternoons, with members having work committments as well as the Northern Ireland match taking place in the south of Belfast with this problem happening to ourselves. There was an immense feeling walking along the Shankill Road playing Volunteers and Billy McFadzean with the on-lookers singing along.

With a large amount of bands on show, the talent of bands was unreal. On the melody front, Sons of Ulster Glasgow were playing to a very high standard. From Blood and Thunder, Sons of Ulster, Shankill Road were playing well also, with their rendition of Leeds.

After all, the day was to remember the life of Volunteer Brian Robinson, who was killed in action.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.







Friday 3rd September 2005 - Downshire Guiding Star - Banrbridge

For one of the biggest parades of the year, we supported Downshire Guiding Star in their annual band parade in the town of Banbridge. This parade is usually a favourite to many bands members, with the parade taking under the bridge in the centre on the town, which is also known as 'The Cut'. A lot of the supporting crowd stand under the bridge to cheer on the bands in which the volume is magnified due to the echo - and to gain shelter from the rain. There was a real dampener on this parade with rain and cold conditions, although this did not affect the spirit of the crowd. Each band had problems trying to get started, but this was due to bands stopping under the bridge, which had then relayed back to the start.

We played with 10 drums, 18 flutes, 1 bass drummer, 1 drum major and 4 colour party; an overall total of 34 members. Starting the parade, admittedly were not on top form, as light rain showers were in place. The parade route also includes indirect blow-offs, with only a footpath separating each band. We came against Tamnamore, Portadown True Blues, Pride of the Valley Broomhedge, Pride of Lagan Valley, Drumderg Loyalists and many more. For a lot of people 'The Cut' is the main feature of the parade. We had stopped to play 'No One Platoon' while under the bridge and the crowd had no objections but to sing-a-long. The atmosphere was unbelievable with the crowd getting behind every band, giving as much encouragement as possible. Coming towards the roundabout at the top of the town, we were forced in to a sandwich with a band on either side.

One of the best styled bands on the night was East Belfast Protestant Boys. In their intinerary, they have 3 pairs of trousers per person. So, tonight they decided for each corps to wear a different colour of trouser which looked superb. The colour party wore navy; the drum corps wore blue; and the flute corps wore white. This looked very well as a whole band. On their musical abilities, they were playing very well also.
In small Blood and Thunder, Pride of Lagan Valley produced a lot of volume and the much loved Castlederg Young Loyalists were playing 'Go Man Go' superbly.

Download
Portadown Defenders - 1:20 min - 0.98MB - .wmv





Friday 16th September 2005 - South Down DUP - Rathfriland

In the penultimate weekend of the 2005 parade season, it was time for our third and final trip to the town of Rathfriland, for the parade of South Down DUP. Like any other year, the town was cold, although less wind than any other year, which was good for any colour party who were for putting up the fight. Several bands sacrificed the long journey between Newtownards and Rathfriland, as another parade was taking place. This did not bother the attendance at this parade as 58 bands were in attendance, with several bands unfortunately letting the hosts down.

We paraded the town with 6 drums, 15 flutes, 1 bass drummer and 3 colour party; overall total of 25 members. After a slow start, we soon picked up the form and played to the best of our ability. It wasn’t until we had reached the bottom of the hill and onto the ‘back-roads’ where we had picked our optimum form. The best tune that we had played on the night was Eaton Boat Song, which we had played on the long walk up the Rathfriland hill. Coming in to the square, we had played Daddy’s Uniform and Working Man.

With a large number of bands in attendance, quality and style varied from band to band. The main focal point on the night, was when Drumderg Loyalists had paraded with a large colour party; which they had merged with Pride of Balinran. Competition was then met, as Donaghadee Fusiliers had a colour party consisting of members of Ulster Grenadiers and Pride of Lagan Valley – both bands who were unable to attend with a complete band. It was also good to see bands from the north of Ulster – with the likes of Ballymena Protestant Boys, Pride of the Maine and Ballymoughan Purple Guards. Pride of the Maine were playing well, especially with their unique drum corps. Another band with a unique drum corps was South Fermanagh Loyalists, who deservedly won a 1st place Small Blood and Thunder prize. Sons of Ulster Shankill were also a band on top form, especially by entertaining the crowd with a drum solo.

Congratulations to South Down DUP for a well run parade and also thanks for the lend of a side drum.

Internal Videos
Portadown Defenders - 0:38 min - 0.74MB - .wmv format

External Videos
Clogher Protestant Boys
Pride of Balinran
South Fermanagh Loyalists
Donaghadee Fusiliers
Derrylee







Saturday 17th September 2005 - Castlederg Young Loyalists - Castlederg

It was again time for the long journey to west Tyrone to support Castlederg Young Loyalists in their annual Band Parade. Loyalists in Castlederg have recently come under severe attacks by Nationalists in the area – and the recent trouble at the RBP feeder parade in August was something to go by. And again, they felt the need to have their presence noted as they held a protest in the village against the parade.

Thankfully no trouble was directed towards the opposition, or indeed directly involved with the parade. Saying this, trouble had started after the parade had finished as some idiotic ‘loyalists’ felt the need to attack the PSNI with glass bottles as they were moving in to the crowded area. What must be said is that they attackers weren’t completely to blame as the PSNI had moved in, causing tension and provocation. The members and marshals must get full recognition as they tried to restore order. Attacks like these can only face problems for the host band in the future as this parade is already under determination by the Parades Commission quango. This parade was well supported with 35 bands being in attendance and for most bands a long drive was needed in order to reach the destination.

We had paraded the village with 7 drums, 15 flutes , 2 bass drummers, 1 drum major and 2 colour party; overall total of 27 members. We had got off to a brilliant start and our standard maintained throughout. The two-hour journey hungers everyone’s determination to perform well. For the 15 flutes that we had, we were able to perform well against bands with the likes of 20 or 25 flutes, which is an achievement.

With our late attendance, it was impossible for us to watch most of the bands on parade. One of the best bands on parade must have been the host band themselves – Castlederg Young Loyalists. They had paraded the main street to the eagerly awaiting crowd. Their drive and determination is something else, as they travel the country every week in support of fellow loyalists. For a small band, they attention the receive is phenomenal and their unique style must be applauded.

External Downloads
Castlederg Young Loyalists - Suicide Battalion - 1:50 - 2.48MB
Castlederg Young Loyalists - Absent Friends - 1:51 - 2.47MB
Castlederg Young Loyalists - Go Man Go - 2:15 - 2.51 MB







Friday 23rd September 2005 - Hillsborough Protestant Boys - Hillsborough

For this night, we returned the favour to Hillsbourgh Protestant Boys for their annual band parade. This was to be our last bussed parade of the 2005 season - which for some is a sad occassion! A lot of the bands in attendance attempted to parade as early as possible, before making the long journey to Fermanagh for the South Fermanagh Loyalists parade. It has to be said - that the parade route for this parade wasn't the best of walks. Through long lane lanes in the dark, passing speed ramps and building sites. Although this may be hazard, this may be the only resolution the host band have for the parade route. For many members, it was suprisingly longer than expected for the small village.

On the night, we attended with a mere 4 drums, 14 flutes, 1 bass drummer and 2 colour party; an overall total of 21 members. For the start of the parade, the band under-performed. Although after playing Leaving of Liverpool, things seemed to improve towards the end of the parade. A wide selection of tunes were played on the night to fulfill the entire parade route. One of the best tunes played on the night was Young Citizens.

A small selection of bands were on display, although one of the best bands on parade was Donaghadee Fusiliers. Their drum corps is something else - and especially with 8 drummers in attendance they performed well. Their flute core must also get a mention with their 'low' numbers of 16 flutes. The band deservedly obtained a 1st place in the Blood and Thunder category. Within the small scene, Lambeg Orange and Blue were playing very well at the end. A band that have maintained their determiniation and skill throughout the season.







Saturday 24th September 2005 - Richard Jameson Memorial Parade - Portadown

Sadly, this was our last parade of the season - but we ended it in the best possible way - by parading in our home town; and remembering fallen volunteers. This parade was especially dedicated to Richard Jameson, a well respected man within the town, who was coldly murdered by cowards on 10th January 2000. This parade was supported by bands from across Ulster, who in turn, paid their respects by laying a wreath at a UVF mural, dedicated to Richard Jameson. The parade turned out to be a bit disappointing as the rain had emptied from the skies, while bands were on parade. The numer of people in the town centre was also disappointing as Portadown parades are known to be big in numbers.
Typically, Craigavon DMSU were blocking all roads leading in to the town, and searching all cars that were bound for the parade. Other security measures included a helicopter in the sky and a mobile police unit placed at the Obins Street peace-line - which used CCTV to survey the activities at the mural.

We attended this parade with 7 drums, 16 flutes, 2 bass drummers, 1 drum major and 3 colour party; an overall total of 29 members. We got off to a brilliant start - which in that time - weather conditions were satisfactory. Once the rain had started to fall, this had dampened the spirit and our performance.

Several Belfast bands had participated in this parade - noticeably, East Belfast Protestant Boys, South Belfast Young Conquerors, West Belfast Volunteers and Mount Vernon Volunteers. East Belfast Protestant Boys were playing to a high standard as was Shankill Protestant Boys - who played with very high numbers. The best band on the night was UVF Regimental, who had an extremely loud drum corps with only 5 drums. Their musical abilities are endless.

In memory of Richard Jameson - A fallen volunteer.
Lest We Forget