|
|
CURRENT EVENTS |
 |
3rd February 2012 - An ensemble from the band (12 players) played at Leslie Thompson's birthday party in Poyntzpass Royal British Legion Hall. Leslie had a number of musical acts taking place during the evening and Tyrone's Ditches Pipe Band members also took part. Our band finished of their performance with Kilaloo and Leslie and Ernie Poole who has guested as Drum Major with the band did a joint Drum Major display in the centre of the hall. You can't keep a good man down. The band's next engagement is at the Fivemiletown Entertainments Contest on Saturday 25th February 2011. Also remember the band table quiz in the Poyntzpass Community Hall on Wednesday 8th February and the young members outing on Saturday 11th February. |
Dates for your diary 2012
| Committee Meetings will be held on the 1st Wednesday in each month at 7.30pm unless notified otherwise. The next Committee meeting is on 1st February 2012 at 7.30pm. |
| Thursday 5th January 2012 - Practices resume in Acton after the Christmas break. |
| Saturday 20th January 2012 - NIBA delegate meeting in Acton at 8.00pm |
| Friday 3rd February 2012 - Band to play in Poytzpass Legion Hall at Leslie Thompson's Birthday party |
| Saturday 4th February 2012 - Fodens band in Armagh Market Place Theatre |
| Wednesday 8th February 2011 - Annual band table quiz in Poyntzpass Community Hall |
| Saturday 11th February 2011 - Annual young Members outing. |
| Saturday 25th February 2012 - Fivemiletown Entertainments Contest |
| Saturday 31st March 2012 - Annual Brass Band League Spring Festival in Strabane |
| Thursday 5th April 2012 - Annual Band Concert in Poyntzpass Royal British Legion Hall. |
| Thursday19th April 2012 - SWDBA meeting in Acton. Band to provide musical programme after the meeting. |
| Sunday 13th May 2012 - Tandragee RBP District Service and church parade in Poyntzpass, Meet at 2.00pm |
| Sunday 13th May 2012 - Jerrettspass Orange & Black Service. Meet at 6.30m |
| Monday 2nd July 2012 - Annual celebrations in Poyntzpass. Meet at 7.30pm. |
| Thursday 12th July 2012 - Annual demonstration in Keady. |
| Friday 13th July 2012 - Annual demonstration in Scarva. |
| Saturday 25th August 2012 - Annual Black Saturday demonstration with Hillhall RBP to Ballynahinch. |
Dates for your diary 2011
| Thursday 6th January 2011 - Practices resume after Christmas break. |
| Saturday 15th January 2011 - NIBA delegate meeting in Acton at 8.00pm |
| Friday 4th and Saturday 5th February 2011- Fodens Weekend in Armagh . |
| Wednesday 9th February 2011- Annual band table quiz. |
| Saturday 12th February 2011 - Annual young band members outing. |
| Sunday 13th February 2011- Evening Praise service in Tandragee Presbyterian Church |
| Saturday 26th February 2011 - Fivemiletown entertainments contest. |
| Friday 4th March 2011 - 60th Anniversary Concert in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. |
| Sunday 27th March 2011- SWDBA Bands service in Rathfriland. meet at 2.45pm |
| Saturday 2nd April 2011 - BBL Spring Festival in Alley Theatre Strabane. |
| Monday 18th April 2011- Armagh City & District Council Mayor's Civic Reception at the Palace Demesne for band to mark our 60th Anniversary. |
| Thursday 21st April 2011 - SWDBA meeting in Acton. Band to provide musical programme after the meeting. |
| Saturday 7th May 2011 - School fete at Dickson Primary School, Lurgan. |
| Sunday 8th May 2011 - Jerrettspass Orange & Black Service. Meet at 6.30m |
| Friday 13th May 2011 - Annual parade in Markethill for Mavemacullen Accordion Band. |
| Thursday 9th June 2011 - Band treasure hunt. Starts Montague Arms, Tandragee. |
| Sunday 19th June 2011 - Band Concert at Scarva bandstand. Meet at 2.45pm. |
| Friday 24th June 2011 - Annual parade in Mountnorris. Meet at 7.45pm |
| |
| Sunday 3rd July 2011 - Annual Orange Service in Poyntzpass. Meet at 6.30pm. |
| Wednesday 6th July 2011 - Annual parade for Hamiltonsbawn Silver Band |
| Monday 12th July 2011 - Annual demonstration in Killylea. |
| Tuesday 13th July 2011 - Annual demonstration in Scarva. |
| Sunday 17th July 2011 - Band Concert at Scarva bandstand. Meet at 2.45pm. |
| Tuesday 26th July 2011 - Tyrones Ditches Pipe Band Annual fete. |
| Friday 29th July 2011 - Annual parade and sports for Tullyvallen Silver Band. |
| Friday 29th July 2011 - Drumlough Pipe band Annual barbecue and Fireworks. |
| Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th August 2011 - Armagh Summer school with the Fodens team. |
| Thursday 18th August 2011 - Band practices resume after summer break |
| Saturday 20th August 2011 - Annual band charity event, Barbecue and social evening. |
| Saturday 27th August 2011 - Annual Black Saturday demonstration with Hillhall RBP to Newry. |
| Sunday 25th September 2011 - Band Concert at Scarva bandstand. Meet at 2.45pm. |
| Saturday 22nd October 2011 - Irish Championship band contest in Market Place Theatre, Armagh. |
| Saturday 29th October 2011- Concert for Loughbrickland Boys Brigade in Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church Hall. |
| Wednesday 2nd November 2011 - Annual General Meeting in Acton Hall at 8.00pm. |
| Sunday 6th November 2011 - 60th Anniversary service in Poyntzpass Presbyterian Church at 7.00pm. |
| Sunday 13th November 2011 - Parade and service with Poyntzpass Royal British Legion |
| Friday 18th November 2011 - 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance in Tandragee Golf Club. |
| Saturday 26th November 2011 - Georgian day in Armagh. Meet at 12.30pm at the Armagh Old Boys Silver Band Band rooms. |
| Sunday 27th November 2011 - Carol Service in Kilmore Parish Church. Meet at 6.30pm |
| Thursday 1st December 2011 - Last band practice until new year |
| Sunday 4th December 2011 - Ballymore Parish Curch, Tandragee, Annual carol service. Meet at 6.30pm |
| Wednesday 7th December 2011 - Switch on the Gilford Chrisrmas lights. Meet at 6.45pm |
| Thursday 8th December 2011 - Christmas Music in High Street Mall Shopping Centre, Portadown, Meet at 7.00pm. |
| Sunday 11th December 2011 (AM) - Cremore Presbyterian Church Annual Carol Service . Meet at 10.30am |
| Sunday 11th December 2011 (PM)- Aghaderg Parish Church, Loughbrickland, Annual Carol Service . Meet at 6.30pm |
| Friday 16th December 2011 - Christmas music at Portadown Football club. Meet at 6.45pm. Marching uniform |
| Sunday 18th December 2011 - Annual Community Carol service in Poyntzpass at 3.00pm. |
| Sunday 18th December 2011 - Acton Parish Church, Poyntzpass Annual Carol Service . Meet at 6.30pm |
News 2011
| Christmas Engagements 2011 - This year the band carried out 10 Christmas engagements. This included 6 local carol services, Christmas music in the High Street Mall, The Georgian Day in Armagh, played at Portadown Football Club and at the switching on of the Christmas lights in Gilford. A cold day in Armagh for the Georgian day and cold also at Gilford and Portadown Football Club but everything else was indoors. A big thanks to everyone for the support given and commitment shown to ensure all engagements were successful and also to pass on sincere thanks from all the venues where we performed as our efforts are very much appreciated in all cases. |
| Friday 18th November 2011 - the band held its 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance in Tandragee Golf Club. The event was well supported with almost 130 people attending. This included a large number of friends, families and supporters of the band and a good night was had by all. The four course Turkey and Ham dinner was served and this was followed by dancing to the group 'Rio Country''. A special 60th Anniversary birthday cake was cut by the oldest and youngest members of the band, Leslie Thompson and Beth Liggett. A very successful raffle and auction were also held during the evening when considerable amounts were raised for band funds. Ticket prices for the event were held to £20.00 with band members at school / university or college getting half price tickets. This compares very well with other dinner dances and the event will still break even for the band. During the event presentations were made to band master Rodney Whiteside to mark his 40 years of membership and to treasurer Arnold Huddleston to mark his 50 years membership. Both received suitable medals and Arnold was presented with a gold watch to suitably mark his 50 years in the band. |
| Sunday 6th November 2011 - The band hosted their 60th Anniversary praise service in Poyntzpass Presbyterian Church. The service was taken by the minister the Rev M Wilson who was joined in the pulpit by the Rev Dunn from Acton and Drumbanagher Parish Churches. The band provide all of the music for the service and Bandmaster Rodney Whiteside, sang an anthem during the service accompanied by the band. The service involved 12 praise pieces and the band also played before and also a short piece at the end of the service. The band entertained the entire congregation to supper in the church hall after the service. The collection lifted during the service went to the Macmillen Cancer Nurses which is the charity which the band is supporting this year. The collection with the money handed over to Macmillen nurses at the Annual General meeting now stands at approximately £2,200. The band put on a great show and had 27 plus conductor Dessie performing in church. |
| AGM Report - On Wednesday 2nd November 2010 the band held its Annual General Meeting in Acton Hall. A good turn out of members attended to hear the reports from the secretary and treasurer and for the election of the new committee etc. At the meeting those present were informed of the monies raised for the Charity ( Macmillen Cancer Care Nurses) which we had supported and cheques were presented to their representatives at the meeting which amounted to £1,820. This was raised at the sponsored bed push, money raised by Leslie a this home on the 13th July and donations in lieu of flowers from the Huddleston family in memory of Mrs Susie Huddleston. A new committee was elected and following the meeting all present were entertained to supper. |
| Saturday 22nd October 2011 - The band attended the 94th Championship of Ireland band contest held in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh organised by the NIBA. We were in Acton at 7.45am for a practice before travelling up to Armagh where we were the first band on stage for the entire day of the competition. We played the piece, The Northumberland Suite, and there were four bands in the section. Dungannon silver band were placed first and we gained second place. |
| Saturday 27th August 2011 - The band accompanied Hillhall RBP 1074 to the Annual last Saturday in August Black demonstration in Newry. Having hired a mini bus to pick up a number of the young members in the morning we had to meet at Hillhall in Lisburn for 7.45am and at approx 8.00am after playing 'Abide With Me' outside the hall we proceeded to parade through Lisburn out to the Ominplex where we boarded the buses. From there it was on to Loughbrickland where the Preceptory had organised a full breakfast for everyone at the Presbyterian Church Hall. After the breakfast we again loaded up the buses and travelled on to Newry where we were dropped off at the Mourne Country Hotel roundabout and we paraded from there to the assembly point at the Newry Orange Hall. We watched a good part of the parade leaving the assembly point before we joined in. The band played really well and had a total turn out of 36 on parade. Thanks again to our visitors from Banbridge and Wellington Memorial Silver Bands for their assistance. We were the the best Silver band in the parade which had 5 silver bands taking part, one less than last year. Although the crowds were not as big as last year the band was still seen at this event by thousands of people and all of the comments to date have been very good. There were quite a few other good bands taking part in the parade with a good show of Senior Flutes, some good pipe bands although few pipe bands overall, and a sprinkling of accordion bands. The standard of the melody flutes still continues to improve with some very good melody bands taking part. The weather turned out showery but was nice for playing and the route was not too long. Then back to Lisburn where we did a short parade from the new library back to the hall after which we all were entertained to another fine meal. |
| Examinations 2011 - Another very successful year for our young people in the band. After successfully completing his A levels Andrew will be studying next year at Hope University, Liverpool and we wish him well. Also well done to Claire on her AS level results and to Ellen who had very good results in her GCSEs. |
| Saturday 20th August 2011 - The band again held is annual barbecue and social night following our sponsored charity bed push along the Newry canal tow path from Jerrettspass to Poyntzpass. There was a great turn out of members and friends at the bed push which finished in the centre of Poyntzpass where the traffic coming through the village were all canvased for donations as they passed through and indeed great support was given by the motorists. At the barbecue a much larger crowd than last year had us almost running out of food but extra provisions were secured. The cooking was again carried out by our Solo Horn player, Barry and sincere thanks to him for a great meal. The weather was warm and sunny which helped to bring out the supporters. Dessie organised the Karaoke and a good evening was enjoyed by all. Total monies raised still to be assessed. The charity being supported this year is the Macmillan cancer support. |
| Armagh Summer School 8th - 13th August 2011 The band again supported the Annual Summer school in Armagh organised by the Armagh Old Boys Silver Band . We had a much smaller number of young people at the summer school this year but as in previous years Dessie took charge. This year only Josh and Caity were available to attend. The Saturday night concert in 1st Armagh Presbyterian Church was well supported with music performed by the youth band and all comers bands to a very high standard. The music performed is available to view on UTube.com. |
| Wednesday 13th July 2011 - the band accompanied the local Poyntzpass RBP to Scarva. We paraded Poyntzpass at 9.00am before travelling to Scarva. After traditional generous hospitality at Leslie, our Drum Major's home, in Scarva, we took part in the demonstration through Scarva to the field. This year the weather was very warm and sunny and temperatures were even higher than the previous day We left the field at 3.30pm and paraded through Scarva again before traveling on to Poyntzpass for a further parade to complete the day. Today the band had 40 on parade and put on a great show for the public. The crowds in Scarva were again massive,100,000 +, and you play to crowded footpaths filled with spectators from start to finish. As I have said many times this is a fantastic platform for any band and we are seen here at this event alone by more people in one day that any of our senior / non parading brass bands will be seen at all of their functions in twenty lifetimes. We are really out if front of the public and letting our band be seen in our marching role which is very important and probably the best way for any band to connect with a wide audience. Scarva is a parade with a good selection of bands on parade with 6 Brass bands in this years parade. See band on parade in Scarva click on LINK |
| Tuesday 12th July 2011 - the band accompanied the local Acton & Poyntzpass lodges to Killylea for the Annual demonstration. We also assisted the Cargans Lodge in Tandragee leading them to and from their hall in the morning and evening. We met in Acton at 8.00am and paraded Acton at 8.30am before all traveled by coach, first to Poyntzpass where we did a full parade of the village with the two lodges, and then on to Tandragee for the District parade. We paraded through Tandragee to the War Memorial in the town centre with the three lodges where we then provided the music for the short service before the entire District lodge did a parade through the town and out to the buses on the Portadown Road. We then traveled to Killylea where we paraded into the village from the assembly field on the Armagh Road. Tandragee District was the last District to arrive in the field and the rest of the county's bands and orangemen were on the street and in the field to see us arrive. The weather was warm and sunny all day. Later we paraded back through Tandragee, Poyntzpass and Acton and we completed our day with us back home for 7.30pm for our tea. The band did very well all day with 34 members on parade. If we were not the best band there we were pretty close. There were 7 brass bands in the County demonstration. |
| Friday 1st July 2011 - The band again hosted its annual parade in Poyntzpass. The weather was warm and sunny and stayed nice all evening. There was a total of12 bands on parade including 4 silver, 3 pipe,1part flute and 4 accordion which was one more than last year and indeed this year we had 3 bands on parade who had not been at the parade for a number of years. Drumbanagher Accordion brought out their new recruits and are back after a period of rebuilding. Whitewater Pipe band and Bessbrook Crimson Arrow Pipe band also both returned to the village parade after a number of years absence. We also had the massed silver band which paraded the village and stood and played hymn tunes in the square. The pipe bands and silver bands individually massed during the evenings activities. The massed silver band included the 4 bands which had paraded earlier plus representatives from Banbridge silver band. Our own band had a fine turn out with 34 members. |
| Saturday 11th June 2011 - The band's Vice President, Mrs Susie Huddleston, died today after a period of illness. She was 89 years old. Sincere sympathy to the family circle and to her son, band member and band treasurer Arnold from all band members and friends. Her funeral was on Monday 13th June to Fourtowns Presbyterian Church and a good number of band members were in attendance or had visited the house. |
| Thursday 9th June 2011 - Thanks to the efforts of two of the band's Vice Presidents, Wilbert McKee and Derek Poole the band again held it's treasure hunt starting from the Montague Arms in Tandragee. Almost 30 cars took part, all packed with supporters, and everyone finished back at the Montague Arms for the presentation of the prizes, food and refreshments and the draw of the grand raffle which was a holiday for two in Marbella kindly donated by Derek Poole and including both flights and accommodation. Derek and Wilbert had encouraged a number of local sponsors to support the event and there were a large number of substantial prizes. A great night and very well supported and hopefully one to be repeated. |
| Monday 18th April 2011 - The band attended a Civic reception in the Armagh City and District Council Building in the Palace Demesne, Armagh as the guests of The Mayor, Jim Speers. The band were welcomed by Mrs Elizabeth Speers and were entertained to drinks and eats before a speech from the mayor which was replied to by Richard and seconded by Rodney. The band had 17 members plus some parents and supporters present. The band's President, Edward Posnett, was also in attendance. The Mayor congratulated the band on their 60 years as a brass band and thanked them for their contribution to the many community events which they take part in. |
| Saturday 2nd April 2011 - The band again took part in the annual Brass Band League spring festival held again this year in the new Alley Theatre in Strabane. We traveled down in a mini bus and cars for an early warm up in the theatre. We were drawn to play No 1 in the entire competiton and were very pleased with our performance of Eric Ball's ' The Young in Heart'. The band had 25 on stage plus conductor Dessie and although we were the only band which played in the Grade we enjoyed our day in Strabane. The band arranged a lunch for all members after we had listened to the morning competition. See photos of contest at the Alley Theatre in Strabane by clicking on LINK for their facebook site. |
| Friday 4th March 2011 - The band hosted their 60th Anniversary Concert in the Market Place Theatre in Armagh. They tickets were practicaly all sold and a souvenir programme in full colour was produced for the event. The compere was Mr Leonard Shields and The Poyntzpass Primary School choir conducted by their teacher , Mrs Pauline Neill and the popular local folk group, 'Stonewall ', with our own band put on a show which was very well received by everyone. The band had 38 on stage plus conductor, Dessie. The event was supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through the National Lottery and by numerous local sponsors. |
| Saturday 26th February 2011 - The band took part in the annual entertainments contest in the Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown organised by the Brass Band League. We had 24 on stage plus conductor Dessie and although light in numbers in some sections the band played well and we put on a good performance of the five pieces in our programme. Our cornet soloist , David Donaldson, won the best soloist prize and the band tied with Maguiresbridge Silver Band for joint second place. The winning band was Dungannon Silver. The band had a mini bus on hire to transport most of the members to the contest. Lunch was also organised for all members in Fivemiletown.. |
| Annual Quiz Wednesday 9th February 2011 - 12 teams took part in this years annual table quiz which was this year held in the Poyntzpass Community Meeting Place Building. The quiz master as normal was Cyril Whiteside and the event was won by the team from LOL 20. A raffle was held during the event which was very well supported. Supper was served to all at the close of the event. |
| On Saturday 12th February 2011 Annual Young Peoples Outing - a mini bus was hired to take a good number of young members to the Sheepbridge Bowling centre outside Newry and then on to the Quays multiplex cinema in Newry where they all enjoyed a film before stopping for burgers etc on the way home. A number of senior members and some parents accompanied them and they also had a good evenings fun. |
| Interesting Links - Saturday in August Demonstration in Newtownards in 2005. Click on the link to view. Also some other interesting photos from Scarva 2005. Click 1 & 2 & 3. Other links - The band in Scarva 2006 , The BBC Your Place & Mine Programme now broadcast twice in June 2005 and January 2006. See Poyntzpass Silver Band on parade in Saintfield on the last Saturday in August 2006. Click on the link to see photos of Dessie and Kenny at the 2006 Whit Friday in Saddleworth with Armagh Old Boys Band. Click on this link to see the band on stage in the Ulster Hall with their Grade 4 winning performance 28th October 2006. To see some photographs of the band concerts in Bessbrook click on this link to the Bessbrook Website. Click on the link to see some photos of the band at their first Carol service of the year in Kilmore Parish Church on Sunday 25th November 2007 |
