The band attended the parade organised by the 36th Bands Association to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. We left from the Orange Hall on the Albertbridge Road at around 7:30PM to make our way to the meet point at Belfast City Hall.

The so called Parades Commission had once again put a determination on this parade due to our route had to pass the Chapel at the grounds near the Republican area of the Short Strand.

This determination brought out the PSNI in great numbers to protect this area, but as per normal this was not needed as our followers are dignified and as per usual this just intimidates people in thinking that trouble shall happen.

Just to fit the bill the SF/IRA/INLA republican supporters came out to be offended, it does puzzle me why that they really get out of their way to come out and watch the bands when they proclaim to hate our culture and do not want anything to do with it, they really should think about if they do really like the Loyalist band scene because they certainly love watching us parading.

Firstly I’d like to thank the marshals for looking after the bands attending and ensuring that things went accordingly to plan, once again we know that our local men will always support their local bands when and wherever they are needed.

The four feeder parades all meet at the back of the City Hall and moved off quickly pass the front of the Hall as the UVF Regimental Band played to the bands and spectators as the other bands marched on by in remembrance of all those brave men who gave their life in the Somme.

This was the main reason for the parade, as this is the 90th Anniversary and to my dismay it was not well supported by bands in general, whatever reasons why they did not attend will always puzzle me.

I must say all the bands that did turn up they should be proud to be part of this once in a lifetime parade. All bands presented themselves well and many bands colour parties carried battle honours dedicated to everyone who was lost in the World Wars. Fly high and flying with pride.

The main parade then split up and all the bands headed back to their original starting points of the night, most parades passed some of the hotspots of the city near interface areas etc but all areas had representatives from the PSNI and Parades Commission and all went well which is good news for all the organisers.

Below are a selection of photographs and video clips of the band in action.

Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 3, Clip 4 & Clip 5

I will certainly not judge any of the bands musical ability tonight as the ones that turned up where all winners and the ones that couldn’t make the effort should hang their heads in shame for not supporting our culture, harsh words but I feel they are more than adequate as this was an open invitation to all Loyalist bands in Ulster.

I was proud to see that bandsmen from Scotland and England took the time and effort to attend and I was impressed with their determination to attend. It’s a pity that bands here didn’t take a leaf out of their book well done again to all that supported the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme parade.


Tonight the band walked with 17 side drummers, 30 fluters, colour party of 6, 4 cymbal boys, 2 bass drummers, 1 drum major and a marshal. So again a good turnout of band for us and I’d like to thank the band members and supporters for coming out and attending the parade.

For God and Ulster.

John Keenan
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band Chairman

If you would like to give your own opinions on the above parade please register and use the EBPB Online Forum, your contribution to the Forum is always welcome.