Sir George White Memorial Flue Band, Broughshane

After the untimely death of our Honorary President Eric Russell in August 2008, the band members wanted to honour his memory as a tribute to everything he and his family had done for Sir George White Memorial. Eric had first been introduced to our band by then band-master, Chris Thompson, as they both worked in Morton’s Mill, so it was somewhat fitting that Don Thompson (Chris’s brother, and founder member) proposed the idea of adopting Diabetes UK as our chosen charity in Eric’s memory. Knowing that Eric and a few of his immediate family were diabetic and with funeral donations going to that charity, Don felt it would be a fitting way to keep Eric in our thoughts. After being granted permission by Eric’s wife Betty and family, the band wrote to Diabetes UK, who accepted gratefully and we now hope to raise as much money as possible.

The band has held a number of events and collection since March in support of the charity, and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our fundraising.

Previous Cheque total = £1250

Collection In Afton Lily Social Club, New Cumnock = £114.69
Collection in Thatch Inn, Broughshane, 13th July    = £90.74
Donation from Sir George White Memorial             = £44.57
Donation from Ballymena & Harryville Apprentice
     Boys of Derry Club                                              = £50
Raffle at Band BarBQ on 11th September               = £424
Auction of signed N. Ireland Football Top               = £60
Donation from Sir George White Memorial             = £16

Cheque Total = £800

Total for 2009 = £2,050

The members of the band would like to thank everyone who has donated in any way towards this magnificent total, and we hope to continue our fund raising for Diabetes UK into 2010. This will begin with our now annual Charity Band Concert in Clough Rangers Club on Saturday 27th February.

Latest News

Diabetes UK - Fund Raising Update
After the untimely death of our Honorary President Eric Russell in August 2008, the band members wanted to honour his memory as a tribute to everything he and his family had done for Sir George White Memorial. Eric had first been introduced to our band by then band-master, Chris Thompson, as they both worked in Morton’s Mill, so it was somewhat fitting that Don Thompson (Chris’s brother, and founder member) proposed the idea of adopting Diabetes UK as our chosen charity in Eric’s memory. Knowing that Eric and a few of his immediate family were diabetic and with funeral donations going to that charity, Don felt it would be a fitting way to keep Eric in our thoughts. After being granted permission by Eric’s wife Betty and family, the band wrote to Diabetes UK, who accepted gratefully and we now hope to raise as much money as possible. The band has held a number of events and collection since March in support of the charity, and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our fundraising. Previous Cheque total = £1250 Collection In Afton Lily Social Club, New Cumnock = £114.69 Collection in Thatch Inn, Broughshane, 13th July = £90.74 Donation from Sir George White Memorial = £44.57 Donation from Ballymena & Harryville Apprentice Boys of Derry Club = £50 Raffle at Band BarBQ on 11th September = £424 Auction of signed N. Ireland Football Top = £60 Donation from Sir George White Memorial = £16 Cheque Total = £800 Total for 2009 = £2,050 The members of the band would like to thank everyone who has donated in any way towards this magnificent total, and we hope to continue our fund raising for Diabetes UK into 2010. This will begin with our now annual Charity Band Concert in Clough Rangers Club on Saturday 27th February.

Band Has Glorious Twelfth in Larne
On Monday 13th July, the band once again were privileged to lead Young's Temperance LOL 957 of the Ballyclare Sixmilewater district on the Battle of the Boyne celebrations in Larne. In what was an excellent parade in front of a crowd of many thousands, the band played excellently all day long and wowed the spectators with a fine mix from our musical repertoire. A video clip of the band playing the "Dad's Army Theme" along Larne Main Street can be viewed Here

On the 13th evening, the band once again played in the Thatch Inn in Broughshane at our now annual social night. A collection was once again taken up for Diabetes UK, our selected charity, which amounted to £90.64. There was also £115 collected for the charity during the annual trip to the Afton Lily Social Club in New Cumnock, Ayrshire whilst over parading in the Scottish Twelfth celebrations.


The Original Sir George White Memorial Band
Willy Owens has recently provided the band with some excellent photos of the original Sir George White Memorial Flute Band. The first one is taken outside St. Patrick's Church in Broughshane circa 1949/1950, whilst the other two were taken on Coronation Day 1953. The first of these is where the Beechvale housing development now stands, and the second is outside Broughshane Orange Hall. On this day the Band President J Clyde presented the band with their new uniforms. We have also attached the names of those in the pictures. Some of these are still unknown, and it would be fantastic if anyone out there could put names to some of those faces. Please send any information, or any comments or memories to info@sgwmfb.co.uk Click on each photo to enlarge, and on the appropriate link to view the names
St. Patricks Church 1949/1950 - Click For Names
Beechvale 1953 - Click For Names
Broughshane Orange Hall 1953

13th July - The Thatch Inn
Following the band's participation in this year's Battle of the Boyne celebrations in Larne on Monday July 13th, we will also be playing as usual in The Thatch Inn in Broughshane on the 13th night. This is always a very enjoyable evening, and the band will also be donating all proceeds of a floor collection whilst playing to our chosen charity, Diabetes UK.

All Set For 2009
After a tough winter where the band worked hard as we were competing and taking part in various indoor competitions, the band have recently embarked on our 2009 programme of outdoor marching events. New members have been readied for the road, and the band have purchased new marching boots to help improve our overall appearance if not our marching!!! After the purchase of polo shirts for all band members last season, new Regatta rainjackets, complete with band logo like the polo's, have now been produced by our partner GD Embroidery of Portadown to enhance our image as we travel to and from the various functions. A glockenspiel has also been sourced recently to improve our indoor performances, which will also continue during the summer marching season.

Upcoming Events
As well as our forthcoming round of parades and functions over the busy summer months, the band will also be organising a few of our own. Our Annual Band BBQ will be on Friday 11^th September in Ballymena Rugby Club. Tickets are £15 each, with the proceeds of the raffle going to Diabetes UK. This is always one of the best night's of the year, with excellent food supplemented by a set from the band to showcase our year's efforts, and then a disco/dance to round out the festivities! For tickets, contact any band member or email us at info@sgwmfb.co.uk · 3 Day Festival of Remembrance. The band is pleased to announce the hosting of this event. Held from 6^th-8^th Nov in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, Broughshane, the full programme will be posted on the website in the coming months. Many thanks to Ballymena Borough Council for their backing, with a special mention to James Healy for his advice and help.This follows on from the successful one day event held in November 2008.

Own Choice Contest and Lisburn Young Defenders Competition
On Sat 28^th Feb 2009, the band returned to the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn to contest the Flute Band League Own Choice Competition, competing in both the Grade 4 and Melody sections. Having placed 2nd in Melody in 2008, hopes were high this time around, and the band once again performed exceptionally to be placed 2^nd in Grade Four, playing The Flying Eagle and Old Comrades. Then on Sat 28^th March, we competed against a large field in Lisburn Young Defenders Indoor Competition, also in Lisburn. This event proved as popular as ever, with the host band once again providing a superb day out for everyone. After another sterling performance from our boys in the midst of such high calibre bands, third placed overall was a fine result for everyone involved. Photos from the Lisburn YD Competition in the Gallery

30th Anniversary Dinner
On 15th November 2008, Sir George White Memorial Flute Band held a function in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. This proved to be an exceptionally successful event, with the 190 people attending being well above our initial estimations. Current members, past members and founding members were all present, as well as representatives from the many organisations and groups who have encouraged us and been associated with us since the formation of the band. This included a group from New Cumnock in Scotland, where the band parades each year, who made the long journey over to join us on our special night. There were the customary speeches and presentations from faces representing all 3 decades of the band, and the night was adjudged to have been a massive success by all concerned.

Worrell Flutes Acquisition
The members of Sir George White Memorial FB, Broughshane gathered on 4^th March 2008 to unveil their newly purchased Peter Worrell Flutes. In total 25 "B" flutes, 5 ‘F’ Flutes and 2 piccolos were on s how, costing nearly £13,000. The band’s President, David Black Snr welcomed all, saying that it was of great personal pride to him to see the band in such a strong position. He continued “What we see here is a genuine first. The 1^st set of Worrell flutes to be manufactured and it’s a sign of how the band wants to progress and improve". Included in the launch photo on the left are band office bearers, representatives from County Antrim County LOL, and representatives from local Broughshane businesses who helped finance the purchase. The driving force behind the new flutes, which were purchased to replace our old and no longer available Miller Wicks, was band member Brian Crossett. Read Brian's Story Here Click Here for full Press Release