Ballynahinch Protestest Boys

Friday 27th June 2008 saw the band make the short distance to Ballynahinch to support Ballynahinch Protestant Boys.

This is a parade we have only started doing the past few years and gets better with each visit. Always a good crowd about the streets, both young and old, good long route to walk around and good tight streets to make it a near perfect place to parade.

Over 30 bands made the journey to the County Down town, and weren’t disappointed with a good showing of bands from different categories and a good dry night.

Ballynahinch Protestant Boys are a Blood n Thunder band, have good numbers, again with a mix of the young and old, a bit like our own band so it is good to see. Recently purchased new uniforms, again keeping with the own style and look and makes the band look a good tidy outfit.

With this coming into our busy time of the year, we were having doubts as to what size of band we would have, but in the end it was a good showing, with 7 in the Colour Party, 8 in the Drum Corps, 2 Bass Drums, Nigel on the cymbals, Craig as Drum Major and 30 flutes.

The flute corps were outstanding tonight, really tuneful, sharp and very sweet, so it’s good to see with the amount of youth and inexperience on show. Hub of the North was top notch coming down the main street, as was the Adjutant and Yee Haa.

The Drum Corps were performing at a high level again, even in the absence of the multi-talented JT, who was having the chance of a rare night off. (He was actually singing us up a few of the girls at Wimbledon for the colour party)

After being finished at an early time, we got to see a few bands on parade, Clogher going well, as were the Toye who I think led the parade around. Drumderg who won the majority of the prizes were top notch going up the main street, so deserved their placings and awards.

Big well done to the Protestant Boys on a well run and enjoyable parade.

The band was awarded the following places:

2nd Colour Party

2nd Drum Major

1st Drum Corps

1st Melody

2nd Best Overall