A report of the day's events from Lynn, KCLFB

Having Never experiencing "Lundy's Day" Celebrations before as a band member nor spectator for that matter, you can imagine my excitement as I started the morning off heading to East Belfast to meet up with the Famous Whiterock FB as they accompanied the oldest ABoD Branch in Belfast formed in 1961 called the Belfast Campsie Club.

The “Super Rock” kicked off from Sydenham Gardens playing Abide With Me accompanied by the Belfast Campsie Club with visiting friends from Stirling District & Dumfries Branch Club. They all proceeded down the Holyrood Rd onto the Newtonards Rd to meet up with Broadway Campsie & the newly formed East Belfast True Blues FB. Both clubs then paid their respect by laying a wreath at the War Memorial before continuing past the Short Strand to board their buses in a small estate just after the two bridges.

First stop was the Co-op on the Shore Rd where they narrowly escaped an encounter with the PSNI due to some auld lady taken offence to the driver as he’d blocked her car in. (Some people have no patience !!!!)

An hour & a half and 12 Neil Diamond numbers later we arrived in Londonderry just in enough time to enjoy a few refreshments from a small bar in Society St just up from the Memorial Hall. There I had the opportunity to share a few laughs with members of the Steeple Defenders, the Millar Memorial & the Churchill before they all assembled outside to start the first part of the main parade

I got the chance to watch many different styles of bands including the Pride of Faughanside, William King Memorial, The Churchill & the Pride Of Orange & Blue I also took the opportunity to walk alongside the East Bank PB, the Steeple Defenders, The Pride of the Derg & the Whiterock down past the Diamond where the atmosphere was glorious. I was deeply touched as The East Bank Protestant Boys appropriately played the hymn “Oh Lord My God” as I walked along the graveyard behind the church grounds.

After that we returned to the wee bar for a small bite to eat and another few refreshments, this time round I had the pleasure of meeting & talking to Mr Chambers from the Broadway Campsie and his friend Mr Willy Duncan from Blantyre & Cambuslang No Surrender Club they also introduced me to a Mr William Bell from the Belfast Murray Club who told me about his time as an ex Irish Ranger serving many years both in Cyprus & Northern Ireland.

The Effigy of Lundy the Traitor burning.

The second part of the parade was just as fantastic the atmosphere was even more electric & I got to see the Millar memorial along with the Killaloo Accordian Band, the Pride of the West FB, Upper Bann DUP, Pride of Ardoyne , & the Pride of the Orange & Blue again with the William King Memorial FB.

As I stood to enjoy the burning of Lundy I got the chance to catch up with a few friends including Glenda from the Steeple Proddy Girls. I can’t put into words the emotions that were within as I then finished the parade off following the rest of the bands across the Craigavon Bridge at the Waterside back to our bus where I got the chance to talk with Gormley, one of the chief marshals for Belfast Campsie as we returned back to East Belfast to parade he told me all about the history of the Club & himself as a Loyalist. Like true Ulstermen, he, his members & the Whiterock FB welcomed me with great care & hospitality making my day one to remember for years.

I can only hope one day I will return to this great town with my own band members & participate ourselves in these glorious celebrations with great individuals such as the ones I had the privilege of meeting today.

Thanks Folks
Lynn - KCLFB

View Comments (0 comments)