History of Sir George White Memorial Flute Band

Sir George White Memorial Flute Band, from Broughshane, was established in 1983 after the renaming of the Broughshane Young Loyalists Flute Band. The BYL had been formed five years previously, in 1978, by Davy Orr, Don Thompson and Iain Boal, all locals from the Broughshane. They decided to form a new band in the village and after a hard winters work, the BYL took to the road on Easter Monday 1978 and it was snowing!! Not good, especially when we remember the uniform was short sleeve shirts and tie, with black trousers.

The band grew in strength and notability under Chairman Davy Orr, who’s vision and guidance laid the foundations of the band to this day. By the winter of 1982, the committee decided to change the name of the band in tribute to the honourable soldier Sir George White, who is buried in 1st Broughshane Presbyterian Church, a stone’s throw from the Orange Hall where we practice. There had been a “Sir George White Memorial FB” in the 1950’s and with some of the members still living in the village, we knew of their reputation as one of the best marching bands of that time.

Further back, we can also find reference to the local Boy’s Brigade Band who marched the local soldiers to Ballymena Station on their way to France in 1914 to fight in the Great War, with the name “Sir George White Memorial” on the bass drum. Click Here For Information on the Original Sir George White Memorial Flute Band

With this in mind, the grand-daughter of Sir George White was contacted and she kindly granted permission for the band to use the name of her grandfather. So, the new Sir George White Memorial Flute Band, Broughshane took to the streets for the 1st time in 1983, just a few miles away in Ballymena. By the following season the band was experiencing great success, winning many trophies throughout Ulster and in Scotland.

By 1986, Davy Orr had left the band and Iain Boal was now our new Chairman, having served as Secretary previously. Iain challenged our new Bandmaster, Steven Wharry (left), to make the band even better and asked the members to back Steven in this quest. Steven had joined the band in 1981, from Const. Anderson Mem. from Larne, and was a keen flautist, eager to introduce a proper musical approach for the band. From the onset, it was clear that Steven, under the watchful eye of Eric Russell, was the key to the band’s future. More attention to detail and a rigorous regime of practicing became to norm on band nights, with the rewards plain for all to see. Many 1st places were racked up in the ensuing years until, as happens with all organizations, dwindling numbers curtailed the band outings and we faced the first of a few crisis within the band.
By the end of1993, membership had plummeted alarmingly, mainly due to no new members joining in the previous 2-3 years and a substantial few coming to the end of their stint with us. The committee met and thrashed out a plan, not only to get the band back on its feet, but to maintain the future for years to come.

By late 1994, membership had grown and the band was ready to push on again, which showed through during the marching season of 1995, both in sound and in numbers. Iain Boal had left by now, his place as Chairman being taken by Robert Gibson. Different in character to Iain, Robert’s forthright manner was exactly what the band needed, after a few years of indifference and lack of leadership. Very quickly, the band was pulled back into shape, membership increased and standards slowly raised. Such had been the transformation that the band rejoined the NIBA, resulting in 2nd place in Feb 1997 in Grade 4, at the Flute Band League Own Choice Competition. 4th Placed in ’98, followed by 3rd in ’99 saw this band, to that date, go down as the most successful “Sir George White Memorial FB” in our history.

But like every good manager, you always want to better the team before, and this was been no different with Steven. A few of the members we had who made the years from 1995-2002 so memorable, were ending their involvement and some of the same problems faced in1994, were apparent as we entered 2003. The committee, mindful of 9 years earlier and still under the Chairmanship of Robert Gibson and Musical direction of Steven Wharry, set about re-building the band to rival the standard of the mid-80’s, with the aim to better the band or ’95-02, which we could see was just beginning to break-up.

As before, new members were sought, younger present members given more prominent roles within the band and pride restored. The decisions taken in 2003 and carried out through 2004, have enabled the band to be going stronger than ever as we pass 30 years of our band. Once again, we rejoined the NIBA in time for the 2007 Flute Band League Own Choice, finishang 3rd in Grade 4, followed by 2nd Melody in ’08 and 2nd Grade 4 in ’09, mirroring some of our past achievements.

Our performances, both on the road and indoor, have steadily improved and at present our membership stands as healthy as it has ever been since the early ‘90’s.

This success would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the members, past and present. We would like to thank all of them for giving the band their time over the years. We would also like to thank the people of Broughshane, and also the local businesses, who have given us great support over the 3 decades the band has now been in existence.

Sir George White Memorial and The Loyal Orders
Sir George White Memorial F.B., Broughshane has enjoyed a very close relationship with all the Loyal Orders both here and in Scotland.

The Orange Order
The band began its association with the Order by walking on the 12th Day with the Braid District No.18 in the late 70’s, as the Broughshane Young Loyalist’s. The Braid District is the smallest district in the province, totaling 12 lodges and a mixture of bands and lambegs. During the time of the band’s formation the Braid District still rotated the venue each 12th among the 12 lodges, which include the town land’s of Ballygelly, Aughafatten, Pollee and Teenies plus the villages of Carnlough, Glenarm and Broughshane. Unlike most of the local Braid bands, our band is not Lodge affiliated, so was free to make the decision to move to Belfast and walk with the Rev. Wm Maguire Memorial LOL as the 80’s began.
By 1983, we were leading the Duke of Schomberg LOL 486 at the head of Belfast District No.3 and were to continue this right up to 1999. We still enjoy a great relationship with them and Mr. Frasier Agnew MLA presented a gift on behalf of the Lodge at our 30th Anniversary night in Nov 2008. We would like to thank them for all their support.

By 2000, the band decided to move from Belfast and came to the attention of the Young’s Temperance True Blues LOL 957 from Ballyclare. One of the band members worked there and became friendly with a few of the lodge members, who invited the band to lead them for the East Antrim 12th Celebrations. Once again, we have been extremely fortunate to find such an upstanding, friendly and supportive Lodge and we hope to lead them for many years.
The band, however, has not forgotten that we are based in the Braid District, answering their call to lead them, or take part in many of their events over the years. Although not part of 12th Day Parade, we never miss the Mini-12th in the village and have led the District in their times of need.

We have proved as fortunate, if not more so, with our Orange friends in Scotland. The band has travelled to the village of NewCumnock, in Ayrshire, every year since 1989, having first been there from 1980-84. Both the Afton Lily LOL and Daughters of Ruth LLOL have become loyal supporters and firm friends of this band. Our annual pilgrimage is looked forward to each year, with a mix of excitement and honour as “nae finer folk” could you meet and according to Ian McLatchie each year’s venue is “only an hour away!”

The Royal Black Perceptory
No such travelling about has occurred for the last Saturday in August. Since our formation, we have been proud to lead Broughshane RBP No.45. Many judge Black Saturday as the finest parade of all the Orders, and Davy Orr’s view that “if the band pleases RBP 45, then we’ve had a fine year” is still held after all these years. The Sir Knights of Broughshane RBP have supported us throughout and we will continue to be voice our thanks at every occasion.

The Apprentice Boys of Derry
The band has returned to walk with the Apprentice Boys since 2007, after a lengthy absence. Originally leading the local Broughshane Branch, the band opted out of the invite as many members enjoyed the day walking as Apprentice Boys, or with another band. Thanks to the Ballymena and Harryville Branch for inviting us back and we hope it will grow into a long and happy association.