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Drumderg Loyalist Flute Band, from the South Armagh
border town of Keady, was formed before the First World War in the early
1900’s by the members of Drumderg LOL 1236. It broke up during the War and
then reformed after the War was over. Known simply as Drumderg Flute Band,
it was made up mainly of Lodge members, however there were also a few
female members. The band at that time had approximately eight fluters and
two drummers, a stark contrast to today’s membership of twenty five
fluters and ten drummers. The total membership of the band is forty five.
Drumderg in the early years, practised in Acheson’s House on Drumderg Hill
where the local Orange Lodge also held its monthly meetings. In 1954
Drumderg Orange Hall was built and the band practised in the new hall.
More young people joined the band and were taught how to flute by a Mr
Smith, however the band remained a Twelfth of July band up until 1970 and
paraded in white shirts. A new image was then sought, so the band began to
wear blue jumpers with a red stripe, along with black trousers and blue
hats.
Although Keady is a 99% nationalist town, Drumderg have stood the test of
time and have gone from strength to strength. Drumderg are very
distinctive in their playing, with their high pitch flutes and more than
competent drum corps. Recently purchased uniforms, of red trousers and
navy jackets, make them stand out in style and appearance. This has been
the bands 4th uniform since the early 1980’s, when the name was changed to
Drumderg Loyalists.
Drumderg were at their lowest point in around 1987/88 when poor membership
almost forced them of the road. Fortunately the dedicated members vowed to
carry on and were rewarded when they were able to parade in Newtown
Hamilton with ten flutes and four drums.
In 1989/90 new flutes, drums and uniforms were purchased. This represented
a new era for the band and with stiff opposition from the nationalists of
Keady and increased competition with other bands in the area, the band
strived to be better. A committee of seven band members was formed in
1988/89 to try to retain membership and organise fund raising events, one
of which is the Annual Parade which is held around the third weekend of
June. With increased nationalist dissatisfaction, the parade has become a
contentious one. The parade and competition has been rerouted several
times, with the parade route now only a ¾ mile walk along Crossmore Road,
a country road outside town boundaries. However Drumderg will maintain
that route indefinitely.
Drumderg, who attend all the major parades across the Province of Ulster,
also participate in competitions in Scotland. As recently as 1999, the
band won the Style and Appearance section and came a commendable second in
the Drum Corps section in a competition in Glasgow which took over a
period of three months. This along with other success in Ulster represents
the bands most recent successful period. Drumderg also attend all the
major demonstration days across the Province during the marching season.
This includes the Junior Orange day in Bangor, the Twelfth and Thirteenth
of July, the Apprentice Boys’ in Londonderry and the Co. Down Black
Saturday. However walking with our own Lodge in the County Armagh Twelfth
demonstrations still remains as one of the highlights of the marching
season.
Drumderg’s vision of the future is to continue to take a stand in South
Armagh, maintain the discipline in the band, to keep the tradition of
flute bands in Ulster and to encourage young Protestants to join the band.
Drumderg practise every Monday night and are currently learning new tunes
for the 2000 marching season. The band hope to release a CD in the near
future and are looking forward to the new season.
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