There had been alot of media coverage in the run up to this parade, of course no fault of the hosts. Just like previous years in Rasharkin, Protestant homes, halls and anything British was being attacked with of course noone being arrested! It can only be described as ethinic cleansing directed at a small Protestant minority in the village.

People need to realise the Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors flute band are just that, a band. To put so much pressure on these guys for political gain is nothing short of a disgrace. SF/IRA, paticulary councilor Daithí McKay are very quick to condem a small parade celebrating Protestant Culture yet they stand in limbo when it comes to condeming the planting of bombs to disrupt the parade.

The Parades Commission accepted a revised application from the host band who as usual bend over backwords to ease the situation when in reality they should not have to. The bands arrived in good time to find a hoax bomb at a local hall preventing the parade from going ahead. A somewhat clever idea but to think this will stop law abiding citizens from celebrating their culture was naive. Whoever planted the device obviously expected either the parade to be called of or for the bandsmen and women in attendance to go home, well that didnt happen, and WONT! The parade got on its way 2 and a half hours after its original time of course thanks to the people hell bent on distrupting the parade.

Here is a clip of the band in action:
CLIP 1

Tonight we were awarded:
Best overall band

Tonight we paraded with 7 of a colour party, 1 drum major, 15 drummers, 2 bass drummers, 22 flautists and marshalls. The band played well tonight and winning best overall band out of the 40 bands in attendance is up there with the best.

Every band in attendance are a credit to the Marching band scene. To show such postive and respectful behaviour under so much pressure from nothing more than "hoods" was hard to do. The reception the bands got from locals who attended to watch the parade was amazing.

All bandsmen, followers and spectators should give themselves a pat on the back. But please dont forget, for the Protestant people of Rasharkin this is not a one night thing, this is their lives.

Well done Ballymaconnelly, Unity is strength!

Webmaster
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band