Melody & Part Flute Bands

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.