Kilcluney Volunteers

Friday 6th June saw the biggest parade of the band season take place in the small County Armagh town of Markethill. In recent years this parade has progressed and increased in bands and number of spectators. Not sure of the exact numbers but a massive crowd filled the streets of Markethill especially from the bottom of the town to the finish point.

The main parade started off at around 7:30pm, with bands from all over the country coming to support Kilcluney Volunteers and then finishing up at around 12 midnight. A steady flow of bands paraded through the streets varying from Accordion, Pipes, Silver, Melody and Blood and Thunder Bands.

Kilcluney Volunteers, travel throughout the country to support the bands, and it is a credit to themselves for doing so many and having the biggest parade in the calendar.

Bands that I watched tonight both before and after our own band paraded were Pride of the Hill Rathfriland, East Belfast Protestant Boys, Corbet, Newtownards, Sons Of Kai, Castlederg Young Loyalists, Dunloy, Drumderg, Clogher, Pride of Knockmore, Magheraveely and Newtownbutler Border Defenders.

County Fermanagh had great representation from Magheraveely and Newtownbutler Border Defenders, both of whom are classified in the Small Blood and Thunder category. They displayed how far they have progressed within the past 3 years and I look forward to seeing them throughout the rest of the season. As a final note, I would like to congratulate Newtownbutler Border Defenders on their new uniforms and instruments which will help maintain the progress they have made.

Our own band tonight paraded with 9 girls in the colour party, 10 drummers, 33 fluters, 2 bass drummers, 1 cymbal player and Mr WJ Heaney on the mace. With a good number of members still missing due to various commitments and learners just not ready as yet.

The band was asked to stop and entertain the crowds at the bottom of the town, and we gladly obliged. Entertaining the crowds is the main reason to attend a parade, as if we don’t entertain then the people wont come to support any parade. With the new salute not just ready but hopefully next week it will be on show for the 1st time, the band entertained with, Big Bush, then the new drum link called Scots Quarter, followed by the old salute and marched off to a rapturous applause playing our new American medley called Yee Haa.

Big well done to all those involved on the night.