Melody & Part Flute Bands

Police set to reduce presence at Orange Order's city parade

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Police set to reduce presence at Orange Order’s city parade

EXCLUSIVE: Gerry Braiden

9 Oct 2010

Police are to cut the number of officers at Scotland’s largest Orange parade, with organisers expected to impose professional stewarding instead. The conclusion of a year-long study into parades and processions by Strathclyde Police, to be published in the coming weeks, will surprise many.

The report comes on the back of a year when the Orange Order has been under scrutiny for the cost to the public purse of its marches. Police had recently issued a study claiming anti-social incidents rose dramatically during the July parade through central Glasgow and have expressed frustration at the £500,000-plus cost of policing the event and the £1.2 million annual bill across the region.

But in exchange for a much reduced presence at future parades, organisers will be expected to impose stringent stewarding, transferring responsibility – and substantial costs – on to the Orange Order.

This may involve the employment of professional stewards or insisting on stewards being accredited with their statutory watchdog. Officers are expected to be more discreet but spotters will be deployed and the event filmed, with a debriefing afterwards determining future policing strategies. The move comes as Glasgow City Council closes its consultation on a parades policy, which could see overall numbers vastly reduced and processions largely excluded from the city centre.

Police welcomed the move, although the Orange Order has cited human rights legislation and suggested potential court challenges to the prades policy.

The Order has argued for several years that Strathclyde over-polices its parades. They cite a large parade in Perth this year where Tayside Police sent around 120 officers, another in Liverpool involving 121 officers, and the July 12 parade in Belfast, which attracted 365 officers.

The Order said Strathclyde Police usually sends in the region of 800 officers to the Glasgow parade, stating last month that “this should stop immediately”, with “a more reasonable response saving the police budget hundreds of thousands of pounds each year”.

Last night, the force’s assistant chief constable, Campbell Corrigan, said: “On the basis of the concerns raised by the Orange Order, and in accordance with normal working practice, I have conducted a review of policing of parades. The findings will be discussed with the Orange Order and will be presented at the next planned meeting of the Strathclyde Police Authority.

“I would like to stress that Strathclyde Police enjoys a very positive relationship with the organising officials with the Orange Order and consider that the findings within the review will do nothing to detract from this good relationship.

“It would be fair to say that we all want to make sure that the parades happen in a safe environment, with the minimum cost to the public purse.” Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said: “We remain strongly of the belief that the law is firmly on our side in that any legitimate organisation has the right to celebrate their own traditions and beliefs through public assembly.

“We have always maintained good relations with the police and fully expect this to continue as we find ways of ensuring the right of freedom of assembly can be achieved with as little impact as possible on the public purse.”

Sources close to the organisation have told The Herald that the Orange Order’s legal advice has reinforced the view that they cannot be kept out of the city centre by a local authority policy.

It is understood the Order has opposed the idea of a ban on processions walking back to their starting point, so called “feeder parades”, on the basis that it is the most convenient way of getting members back to their lodges and that it would be too costly to hire buses. The Order also opposed the publication of costs to the public purse for policing and road closures, fearing it could prejudice the public against its organisation.

Published on the 9th of October 2010

Article taken from the Herald Scotland

Plans to axe Glasgows city parades

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Plans to axe city parades ‘a sham’ says Orange Order

Processions by the Orange Order accounted for more than half of the

total of demonstrations held in Glasgow last year

Plans to effectively ban marches in Glasgow city centreare “a dishonest sham” that will be opposed in courts, the leader ofScotland’s Orange Order said.

Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scot-land,said Glasgow City Council’s proposals on a new policy governing allparades in the city were an attempt to bully his organisation intogiving up their right to celebrate their traditions.

His views were supported by Jim MacLean, his counterpart in sisterorganisation the Grand Black Chapter, who described the proposals as“an unequivocal attack on the Protestant Loyal Orders” that would be“fought tooth and nail”.

Meanwhile, trade union leaders, whose demonstrations account forseveral dozen held in the city each year, believe they have been caughtup in a policy meant for other groups such as the Orange Order and someIrish Republican groups.

It comes a day after the local authority launched a four-weekconsultation on its proposals, which as well as seeing parades keptaway from the city centre would see the policing costs of alldemonstrations publicised, organisers encouraged to consideralternatives to processions and an insistence on events with 1000 ormore people assembling at and progressing to a public park.

Processions where groups march back to where they started from,could be axed, while small parades that feed into a main processioncould be curbed as the council moves to develop standard routes.

Mr Wilson, whose organisation had 252 marches in the city last year– more than 50% of the total – said the proposal to ban parades fromthe city centre was an attack on human rights.

Although local authorities pay for half of all policing, Mr Wilsonsaid the councils “should not be using the cost of police resources asa tool to prevent us from parading”.

He added that the consultation document was “dishonest, backed with dodgy statistics and … sham”.

“We will reply to them as they suggest. However, as we have beendenied our repeated requests for discussion, we are sure that our viewswill fall on deaf ears and we will once again need to resort to thecourts and human rights legislation to protect our freedoms,” he said. Dave Moxon, deputy general secretary of STUC, said that althoughmany of the recommendations were sensible, there was a concern thattraditional union parades, such as the May Day demonstration, could bemoved from the city centre, as EIS and anti-war protests already had.

Councillor Jim Coleman, who is spearheading the plans, said: “Theproposals are a significant step forward in how we handle processions,of all kinds, in a sustainable and transparent way.”

Published on the 1st of September 2010

Article taken from the Evening Times

Omagh Massed band

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:20:00 +0000

What a finish to a great night!, massed band was amazing, was there many others on here who was a part of it too?

Brookeborough Massed Melody Band

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:07:00 +0000

1st time an event at Brookborough with Ulster Scots an open air concert Session Beat took to the stage, put on a great show for the large crowds watching, Then it was Erne Highland Dancers, Loved Omagh PB performed good and received great praise from the on-lookers & band parade with Accordion, Silver, Flute & pipe bands

Mass melody bands ended on a high with the Pride of Ballinran, Lisburn Young Defenders,

Omagh PB and Brookborough & Skeogh flute band forming and parading the length of the village

to the huge delight of the spectators. The crowds fell in behind them and walked to the finishing point.

The Brookborough District have now set the standard for the rest of the county

this is how it should be done to run up to the 12th day

The crowds of spectators parked their cars over a 1/2 mile as there was no room in Brookborough

Well done to the ulster scots and fermanagh district council for also funding this event.

Hope this become an annual event.

Massed Melody Band was a very enjoyable parade all the bands playing well just shows how much of

a similar playing style and tune arrangement those bands have, sounded very well

Brookborough Massed Melody Band 08/07/10

Over 50- lodges attended Rossnowlagh Twelfth

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:33:00 +0000

The annual Twelfth parade in Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, was held on Saturday, July 10.

Lodges from Visitors as far afield as Canada and the US marched along side lodge members border counties Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan. Donegal, Cavan as well as visiting Orangemen,

from Scoland, England and Ulster

Parade stared 12.30pm, slightly earlier than normal. Bands & Orangemen paraded to the

demonstration field, on the edge of the shoreline one of the most beautiful locations with

surfing rolling breakers of the Atlantic one of many best over all beachs in Ireland

The service conducted by local minister Rev. Brian Russell,

and the special preacher will be Rev. Stanley Gamble, a Grand Chaplain of the

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

The Twelfth in Donegal has been held in Rossnowlagh since the 1900s and has taken place

there every year since 1978. It has become traditional to hold the parade on the Saturday

before the main Twelfth parades.

This means that lodges in the Irish Republic are able to attend the

Twelfth demonstrations in Northern Ireland.

There are 44 Orange Halls in Donegal, , Monaghan and Leitrim, Cavanand the Orange Order

has members in nine counties in the Irish Republic.

On behalf of Melodybands.com we would like to wish all bands and Orange lodges

and Visiting friends who made the trip to Rossnowlagh for the Orange Parade Twelfth on Sat 10/7/10

PICS OF PARADE BY ADMIN CLICK HERE

Scotland Orange Parades 3/7/10

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:45:00 +0000

On behalf of Melodybands.com we would like to wish all ulster bands and Orange lodges and Visiting friends who are making the trip to Scotland for the Orange Parades on Sat 3/7/10 We would like to wish you all a safe

journey and happy celebrations

New Drums For Hamilton Flute Band

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:31:00 +0000

Hamilton Flute Band Londonderry are getting new Andante Marching Series Drums

They are having a dedication parade on the 1st of july from fountain to the war

memorial to the catherdral leaving horace street at 7.30

Will up-date news later

Churchill Flute Band celebration

Sat, 22 May 2010 13:32:00 +0000

SATURDAY 15th May 2010 evening saw the members of Churchill Flute band host their 175th

anniversary concert in Waterside Theatre.

Compere for the evening was Robert Ramsey, whose witty repartee had the audience in buoyant mood prior to the musical extravaganza which awaited.

Among the guests for the evening were Deputy Mayor Maurice Devenney and Aldermen Mary Hamilton, Gregory Campbell and Joe Miller as well as the Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay.

Under direction of Simon Mowbray, the members of the band opened the first half with the march ‘Wellington’ and their varied programme included a duet with Jenny Boyd and Janice Channing, accompanied on guitar by David Thompson. The piccolo solo ‘Bourree’ was by Simon Mowbray, and a selection of concert items included popular tunes like ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ and ‘Swinging Safari’.

Departing the stage for a brief time, the Ulster Special Constabulary Historical Display Team took over, transporting the audience back in time to when the B Specials were in service in the City.

The second half began with the march ‘Trafalgar’ which is one of the band’s favourites. Next up was ‘Spanish Eyes’ with the lead taken by Janice Channing with the help of the percussion section, adding a lighter touch to the piece.

The popular tunes ‘Star of the County Down’ and ‘Tell Me Ma’ were rendered with vocals by Trevor Stewart, and the subsequent item was a first for the band, namely a dramatic entrance by the Drum Corps through the rear of the theatre to the tune ‘Scorpio’ The Corps made their way to the stage where they performed a ‘Drum Static’ much to the delight of the crowd.

The conductor, Simon Mowbray, played the ever-popular ‘Londonderry Air’, dedicating it to the memory of former member Jim Brown, members of whose family were numbered in the audience.

The finale was formed with the marches ‘Killaloo’ and ‘The Regimental’, with the added touch of the Ulster Special Constabulary Historical Display Team taking to the floor once again, for a march past.

Encore was the march ‘1914’ and afterwards there was an air of formality with a scattering of speeches marking the 175th anniversary.

The band officers and members have thanked the staff and management oat the Waterside Theatre for their help with the preparations, the audience for their enthusiasm and attendance and making it a memorable event, while the members of the band were thanked for their hard work and dedication.

Premier Music International goes into liquidation

Mon, 10 May 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Premier Music International Ltd. (PMIL) of Leicestershire, England, has declared that it has

undergone a "boardroom restructring," with a plan to create "a stronger mutual business.

" According to sources, the company has been renamed for now as "High House 456 Ltd.,

" presumably in reference to the holding company that has secured its assets.

"The restructuring involves the closure of the existing company," a Premier spokesperson said

in a letter to creditors, which went on to state, "A new company has been set up to take over

the business which will allow us to ship backorders and ensure that product supply for the future

will be free-flowing . . . We appreciate that business has been impacted by recent financial

constraints and look forward to building our business together for the future."

"We can confirm that Premier Music International Limited was placed into liquidation as part of a

financial restructuring of the business," said company spokesman Sven Parris.

"The Premier brand will be carried on by the new company which will facilitate the shipment

of all backorders and ensure that product supply for the future will be free-flowing.

"Many UK businesses have been impacted by recent global financial constraints and we are

pleased to announce that significant UK investment has been secured to ensure the long term

survival of the Premier brand.

"Premier will continue to operate sales activities through a network of specialist dealers;

these dealers have been informed of the changes to the company structure and should

always be the first point of contact.

"Premier’s commitment to excellence and support of the pipe band community is

stronger than ever and we can look forward to the future with renewed energy and

firm commitment to the many thousands of Premier players around the world."

In May of this year long-time Premier employee and pipe band representative Jim Kilpatrick

left the organization for employment with Pearl Percussion.

Premier is the manufacturer of the popular HTS-800 line of snare drums and

Hosbilt series of bass and tenor instruments.

NEWS: Published: August 20, 2009

Young Defenders Host Melody Flute Indoor

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:04:00 +0000

LISBURN Young Defenders Flute Band have hosted a melody flute indoor competition in Lisburn Orange Hall. on Saturday 27th March 09

The adjudicator was Gary Shields and the compere was Alan Toole, of Lisburn Young Defenders Flute Band.

Taking part were Brookeborough; Ballycoan; Ballyhalbert; Ballymacarett Defenders; City of Belfast Fife and Drum; Wm King Memorial,Londonderry; Omagh Protestant Boys; Pride of Ballinran, Kilkeel; Prideof the Raven; Sir George White Memorial, Broughshane; Skeogh; ShankillRoad Defenders and Imperial Corp of Drums Liverpool.

The winner was Wm King Memorial, Londonderry. Local band Ballycoan wasrunner-up and Pride of Ballinran, Kilkeel was in third place. The entertainment prize was awarded to Imperial Corp of Drums, Liverpool.

Skeogh Flute band's birthday surprise for Ted, 90

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:15:00 +0000

AN elderly pensioner and former bass drummer was reduced to tears yesterday as his beloved flute band gave him a 90th birthday to remember. In a closely-guarded surprise, members of Skeogh Flute Band arrived without notice at the home of recently-turned nonagenarian, Ted Carey.

TheKatesbridge man celebrated quietly with family and friends on Friday,not knowing the public musical extravaganza that was forthcoming.

The retired farmer can claim 82 years' service with the Dromore-based melody flute outfit having joined the band as an eight-year-old on the triangle before taking up the bass drum.

Since reluctantly handing over his drumsticks in the mid-1990s, Ted assumed the role of band president, which he retains until this day.

As well as playing an array of tunes on the pensioner's front lawn, including Happy Birthday, bandmembers presented Mr Carey with a specially engraved Tyrone Crystalvase and produced an extensive photo album containing pictures of thebandsman down through the years.

Speaking to the News Letter yesterday afternoon, Ted's daughter, Berneice, admitted her father was overwhelmed with emotion.

Describingthe gesture as "absolutely fabulous", she said: "He was in floods oftears and just could not believe it. It is not every Sunday afternoonthat a flute band arrives in your front garden."

Ms Carey revealed that to mark her father's 80th birthday the band organised a local artist to produce an oil painting.

She added: "I don't know anyone else who has respect for my father like this band."

Band chairman David Craig admitted it was "very important" for serving Skeogh members to recognise the occasion.

"Ted is very much revered within the band. He is very quiet, very unassuming and has very little to say but his presence certainly makes up for it," he said.

"Heis very much respected by young and old and it is fantastic for us tohave someone like Ted. Young ones coming into our ranks all ask abouthim – it acts as a good connection with the older generation."

Mr Craig said the pensioner remained within the ranks of the band for as long as it was humanly possible to do so.

"Evenin his 70s he was carrying the bass drum the whole way aroundLondonderry without stopping or changing and he used to wonder whyyounger bandsmen changed the drum over. He is a typical old farmer andis as hard as nails," he said.

Skeogh, which marked its 125th anniversary in 2007, ensured Ted was guest of honour at its celebratory dinner.

Paying tribute to the 90-year-old, drum major Colin Ward described Mr Carey as an "absolute inspiration".

"Ted is unique. It's not even the fact he has been involved in the band for 82 years, it is his personality. It is the way he behaves – he is just a perfect role model for anybody," he said.