A new memorial flute band in County Armagh – and the first flute band in its area – are all set and ready to participate in their first ever twelfth of July parade.
The ‘blood and thunder’ [meaning a combination of flutes and drums] Cargans Memorial Flute Band were established in Tandragee in September 2024 and “proudly walks” with Cargans Memorial L.O.L 122.
For a band in its infancy it has had considerable intake boasting over 40 members in its first year. It’s thought to be the county’s newest band and possibly the first in Tandragee town for approximately ten years.
Explaining a little about how it all came to be, one of the founding members Don Redpath said: “The request to form this band has come from current members within Cargan Memorial LoL 122 as we had no band associated with the lodge and we had also considerable interest from the public to see a flute band return to the streets of Tandragee.
“Last September we held a presentation evening with a desire to form a flute band primarily for the twelfth day July celebrations only, undertaking a few practice parades.
“From September onwards we have held band practice every Wednesday night. It has taken great effort from a dedicated group of committee members to organise
fund raising events throughout the year, such as sponsor walks and BBQs and the public and all band members have really supported us.
“As everybody knows in the band scene it takes a fortune to run a band, from flags, uniforms and all band equipment which we had none.
“Eight months later we had our first public parade in the Birches followed by our first parade in our hometown Tandragee on July 1 for the annual Veterans Battle of Somme commemorations.
“The band has currently 16 members from within the lodge and circa 40 members overall, both young and old, boys and girls.
“We hope to grow and go from strength to strength, and we look forward to parading our first twelfth this year in Keady.”
