Somme Memorial parade - 01/07/10

This parade has always been known in East Belfast to be the best parade of the year. It is locally looked forward to for months before hand and it proved to be a hell of a night. Trouble in the run up to the parade in Cluan place and the Albertbridge road always hightens the tension. The other side always seem to forget the Battle of the Somme is about everyone who fought and died on the 1st of July 1916.

Over 40 bands and lodges taking part from far and near. The mighty Whitetrock, Pride of the Raven, Miller Memorial, Gertrude Star, Tullycarnet, Rising Sons, Whitewell Defenders, Shankill Protestant Boys, Pride of the Shore, Sons of Kai and the Rathcoole Protestant Boys are just a few to mention. Huge crowds line the route which is around 4 or 5 miles. It is indeed one of the best supported parades on the Marching scene calender. Good weather, good crowds, bands and orangemen, what else could you ask for. Thankfully the parade was trouble free once again.

Below are a selection of photographs of the band in action.

Colour Party Colour Party Drum Corps
Drum Corps Flute Corps Flute Corps


Here is clips of the band in action:
CLIP 1 - CLIP 2 - CLIP 3 - CLIP 4

Our own band met at our band hall at 18:15 sharp. We paraded with ? of a colour party, 2 drum majors, 20 drummers, 4 bass drummers 36 flautists and marshalls. As we do every year we laid a wreath at our band mural on the Newtownards road. Big turnout matched by a big performance. Our new members done a great job. Bass drummers on fire. Flutes in top form. The new tunes surprised even me at how well they sounded. For me to get carried away is easy, but it was pleasing to parade tonight in good tune. The parade was a breeze, i wished it was like this every week. It all adds up to be one of the best nights of the year.

For me the parade that i can look back on as a proud and great night. Lest we forget.

John Keenan
East Belfast Protestant Boys Flute Band Chairman

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