Churchill Flute Band

7/11/2009 ABOD Remembrance Parade, Belfast

Saturday 7th November saw the band travel with the General Committee of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, to Belfast. The occassion was the annual Remembrance Parade for the Association which falls the Saturday immediately before Remembrance Sunday. The Parade formed up and left Ballynafeigh Orange Hall at 10:00, parading as far as the Ormeau Bridge before boarding a bus to travel a few hundred metres only to reform at Haveloc House home of UTV.

This first section of the parade was almost completely carried out without the presence of the Drum Major, whose Bearskin 'broke down'!! Thanks to his quick thinking, and the much appreciated help of a local dress maker, the headwear was repaired and he was back in front of the band for the next section of the parade. It is testiment to the band's, professionalism, that they maintained drill to a high standard in the absence of the Drum Major.

The next part of the procession left the UTV building and made its way to Donegal Place to meet with other Apprentice Boys and Whiterock Flute Band. The complete parade leaving at 10:30 made its way through the City Centre to the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall. A Service of Remembrance followed with the laying of wreaths, lowering of colours and two minute silence. Prayers were also said, a hymn sung, and the National Anthem played.

The parade then left the Cenotaph and moved back through the streets of Belfast and onward to the Shankill Road, where a wreath was placed in the Garden of Remembrance. The parade finished in Tennent Street with the playing of the National Anthem, before dismissing.