BALLYWALTER FLUTE BAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
5 APRIL 2024 TO 4 APRIL 2025
From a parading point of view the band had a busy marching season taking part in the Annual Loyal Order parades with Ballywalter LOL 1884 and Ballywalter RBP 675. Other parades included accompanying Ballywalter Royal British Legion at the Annual Remembrance Sunday parade in Ballywalter. A trip to Ballymoney to take part in the Dunloy Accordion Band parade where we massed with our good friends in Kellswater Flute Band. The band accompanied the Ards Battalion BB at their Annual parade in Newtownards and the Ards Battalion GB at their parade in Bangor. Perhaps the shortest parade the band was ever involved in came at Christmas when we accompanied Santa to the Christmas Tree Lights switch on in Conway Square Newtownards.
As a follow up to our successful appearance in the Belfast Tattoo in 2023 with Kellswater Flute Band, 2 concerts featuring both bands with proceeds going to chosen charities were arranged. The concerts were held in Ballymena and Ballywalter before packed audiences. The Ballymena concert raised £2300 for the Air Ambulance Charity while the Ballywalter concert raised £3000 for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.
Other events the band played at during the year included an Ulster Scots Festival of Music in Ballywalter, Christmas Tree Festival at Glastry Presbyterian Church, Christmas Tree lights switch on in Ballywalter and the Annual Holy Trinity Carol Service in Ballywalter.
Fund raising events included Annual Pub Quiz, Ballywalter Fair Day Tombola, Golf day and for the first time in many years we organised a Christmas Ballot with a First prize of £1000.
On the Contest platform it was another highly successful year with a 1[st] place in the Grade II section at the annual North of Ireland Bands Association Championships in Armagh, this was followed by a very creditable 3[rd] place in the Championship section of the Annual Flute Band Association Own Choice Contest in Bangor. For the first time in many years Ballywalter shared the “May Trophy” with Ballygowan Flute Band for the most points gained at the Annual Solo and Small Ensemble Contest held in Newtownards. This achievement was the result of our
younger members having a very successful day with wins in Under 10 concert, Under 13 concert and Drum kit section along with many 2[nd] and 3[rd] places gained also.
Denis Boston
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF BALLYWALTER FLUTE BAND