Pride Of the Hill Rathfriland

Friday 13th June 2008 saw the band make the short journey through the Mourne Mountains to its neighbours Pride of the Hill Rathfriland.

The host is currently celebrating its 75th Anniversary which is a marvellous fate in this day and age. New uniforms and flags and other pieces of essential band equipment have been bought in recent years to keep the band up to date.

While never really going away from their own unique uniform design and pattern, they have stayed at the top of the Blood and Thunder Category for the majority of their existence.

The parade started at the newly refurbished car park, up through the main street, turning left on to the square then turning right down the hill, down a few back roads and then up what must be the longest and steepest hill in parading terms (thank goodness they don’t change the route and come in from the Banbridge side of town) and then finishing in the square where a big crowd await the participating bands to do their showing off as to put it. (Mainly JT)

The host band were rewarded big a big showing of bands, all from different parts of the country and all different types of bands ranging from accordion, pipe, part flute and melody flute to blood and thunder. Making the bands on show a great spectacle for the on looking spectators.

Only got to see a few bands on the night, Thought Dunloy were excellent, Kilcluney and East Belfast at the end were playing some cracking and entertaining selections.

At the end the host band formed up for the 75th anniversary surprise. The band must have consisted of all previous and past members in its ranks, with some reports of near 30 drums and around 72 flutes with a large colour party and quite a lot of bass drummers. It was quite a sight and was great to be a part of this. So a big well done to the host for a very enjoyable night.

Finally our own band played extremely well tonight, parading with 34 flutes, 12 drummers, 8 in the colour party, 2 bass drummers, Craig on the mace and Nigel on the cymbals. Hub of the North which has been getting played regularly from the start of the year went well through the square the 1st time and then another two of our new tunes went well at the end with the crowd giving the band a rapturous reception to Scotch Quarter and Yee Haa.