The band travelled to Bessbrook for the True Blues annual parade on this hot sunny night, this wee dander in the countryside was well welcomed.

We arrived in good time and seen a few bands heading off, South Belfast Young Conquers looking good in their new uniform. Other bands I seen where Drumaheagles playing to a high standards as where Donaghadee and South Down DUP as they finished.

This was the first time I have seen the Drumderg Young Defenders who are the youth of Drumderg Loyalists, its good to see the youth taking a lead role in parades and I must say they played very well and I hope to see them in the full ranks in the near future.

There where good crowds watching the parade at the town square and the Orange Hall areas but the bands as per usual all lifting the spirits on this hot night for wearing uniforms.

Our own band walked with 17 side drummers, 25 fluters, colour party of 6, 3 cymbal boys and 2 bass drummers. We played well tonight and we where awarded well by the judges, although I always judge my own band on the performance alone and I was glad that they agreed.

The band where presented with the following awards during last nights parade competition results:

                1st Blood & Thunder Band
                1st Blood & Thunder Drum Corps
                1st Blood & Thunder Bass Drum
                1st Lead Tip
                1st Colour Party
                1st Marching & Discipline
                1st Best Overall Band

One negative thing that I will report on was a little matter of eggs and stones that where thrown over the roofs of house as we where coming down the Main Street, before we reacted to this a member of another band quickly told the PSNI whom went and quickly to the back of the houses to investigate.

If this was taigs or just some idiots acting the fool I don’t know but we were ready to kick doors in as it could have been nasty, as many bandsmen and innocent bystanders could have been hit and this kind of stupidity is not wanted and our Loyalist band parades.

We haven’t heard the outcome of the above event but I must say that Bessbrook is not a loyalist village by any means and travelling in and out of there is an onus on people having to be alert because god knows what people would do to a car or bus.

Otherwise it was a good parade for the True Blues and well done to them on a successful night.

John Keenan
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band Chairman

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