Latest News
Band Enjoying Great Start to 2011
Sir George White Memorial Flute Band are currently enjoying a fine start to the 2011 marching season, having completed a successful and enjoyable indoor calendar over the winter period. Membership is continually growing, with the band continuing to fine tune all aspects of their performances with each outing. Recently we have taken part in a number of parades in Ballymena, Broughshane, Ballymoney and Larne to name a few, and were also on show at the recent Carrickfergus Pageant.

Over the coming weeks the band will make the annual trek to Scotland, where this year they will, as usual, lead the Afton Lily and Daughters of Ruth lodges from New Cumnock, Ayrshire. The main demonstration will take place in Beith.

On the Twelfth of July we will once again be proud to lead Young's Temperance from Ballyclare at the annual East Antrim Combine demonstration, this year held in Randalstown.

As ever the band are keen to attract new members, and anyone interested, of any age, can come along to Broughshane Orange Hall any Tuesday evening from 8pm.

The band would also like to thank all those who help support us in any way, as without their help we would not be enjoying the success we currently are.
 
Diabetes UK Fundraising 2011
Sir George White Memorial are continuing our partnership with Diabetes UK in 2011. This is our third year of fundraising for the charity, in memory of our Honorary President Eric Russell. So far this year we have held our annual Charity Concert in Clough Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club and a Table Quiz in the Thatch Inn, Broughshane.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated to this very worthwhile cause in any way, and we hope to hold more fund-raising functions during the remainder of the year.
 
New Uniform Debuts in 2010
The band have recently unveiled their new uniform, which has been purchased at considerable cost after many months of fundraising. The uniform, based on the Irish Guards and finished in our trademark orange, made its' debut appearance quite fittingly in our home village of Broughshane on May 1st, at a parade organised by Pride of the Valley Flute Band, Teenies. There were many comments from the public and fellow bands as to how well the new outfit looked on the night, and the band was most certainly looking splendid on the night. It has since also got an airing in Antrim at Ballycraigy's parade as well as a couple of outings in Ballymena and Coleraine.

The band would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way towards the new uniforms, especially band member Brian Douglas who was the driving force behind it all and put many hours into finalising the design and manufacture of it. Also, The Thatch Inn in Broughshane for kindly supplying new branded suit covers to keep everything in perfect order.
 
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
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 4th 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 1st 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