Pride of the Hill Flute Band Trustees Annual Report 2025
Charity Registration Number : NIC100350
Report Year ending 31[st] December 2025.
Status
The band finished the year in a healthy state membership wise with 107 members on the books and 21 junior members. During 2025 6 members retired and 15 members joined. We have a strong learners class and hopefully they will all make it out onto the road in 2026.
Main activities
Annual parade – We held our own parade in Rathfriland on the 13[th] June. It was a great event with large numbers of spectators with 37 bands in attendance. We attended 39 Parades in 2024 including the large annual celebrations the 12[th] , 13[th] , Derry Day and the Last Saturday. We also attended 1 indoor concert.
In August the band visited France and Flanders on a WW1 Battlefield tour. 75 members made the trip with supporters. The band visited many cemeteries to pay our respects. On Friday 22[nd] August the band had the honour of performing at the daily Service of Remembrance at the Menin Gate in Ypres. On Saturday 23[rd] the band paraded at the Ulster Tower and held a service of remembrance and also attended the Orange memorial. Later that day the band also paraded at and remembered at the Thiepval Memorial. It was a very memorable trip and the band is already planning to go again in 2027.
Community Benefit
During the year the band performed at 40 community engagements.
The band also provided tuition for the flute and drum for the local community, and continue to provide a platform for local people to participate in UlsterScots musical Traditions.
The band continues to provide a welcoming and safe environment for young people to learn a musical instrument and partake in a local cultural tradition. Other benefits to the participants include improved self-esteem and confidence, friendship, teamwork and pride in achievement.
The band continues to provide an invaluable service at no cost to the local community in a rural area with high deprivation of childhood poverty and access to services.
The band also provides a focal point for civic pride and family involvement.
Finance
The financial support required for a highly active flute band with 124 members is considerable. There are ongoing costs that enable the band to function, that need to be meet annually. In 2025 more uniforms were purchased to fit out our growing organisation. The Battlefield tour took considerable funds which the band worked hard at to raise.
Conclusion
It was a great year for the band with the band attending many events around the country and in mainland Europe. Membership remains very health. We also have many young people participating in our tuition classes, who all being well will be ready to parade with the band next year. Moral is great within the band and playing performance remains to a high standard. These positives not only serve the band well but is also of a great benefit to the community.
Martin Porter Trustee 25[th] February 2026