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Millar Memorial Cultural and Heritage Day 2006
The 4th March 2006 saw the second Millar Memorial Cultural and Heritage Day. We returned again to the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road hoping to build upon the success of last year’s event.
The doors of the centre opened to the public at 1pm and it didn’t take long before the floor was buzzing with activity with a very healthy turnout. We were honored to have the High Sherriff of Belfast , William Humphry in attendance who also gave a short speech to the crowd which was warmly received by all.
The first act to take the stage where the Shankill Road Drumming Club. They are the only lambeg drumming club left in Belfast and they entertained the crowd with a selection of jigs accompanied by a Fife. A superb display of drumming was put on show from both old and young members who are certain to keep this dying part of our culture alive and well within the Greather Shankill area.
It was then the turn of the first band of the day, The Pride of the Raven, from East belfast, to perform. The band came with 12 Flautists, 4 Drummers, 1 Bass drummer and 2 young cymbalists. They played extremely well with a selection of tratitional jigs and marches. Up next were the Albertbridge Accordian Band also from the East of the city who performed with 11 accordian players also with a selection of traditional jigs and military marches.
It was then the turn of the headline act – The Govan Protestant Boys from Glasgow. We were honored that the band had come over to support us this year and they brought a very impressive band with them of 8 Drummers and 21 flautists and demonstrated exactly why they are one of the best blood and thunder bands walking on the streets of both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Citadel Scottish Country Dancers for the second year in a row took the stage after the GPB with a display of traditional celtic dancing including an impressive sword dance. Next up were the Ballymacarrett Defenders Flute Band, conducted by Freddie Johnston. The band are the current N.I.B.A all Ireland Champions who played a brilliant set and I was extremely impressed the performance by their drum corps.
The Lord Carson Memorial accordion band then entertained the crowd with a good performance from playing their traditional blood & thunder with 8 accordion players.
It was then the turn of one of Ulster’s up-and-coming blood and thunder bands – the Sons of Ulster, Shankill Road. The band honored us with two firsts – the unveiling of their new custom made bass drum and also the first performance of their excellent drum solo. This band really stole the show for me and had the crowd wanting more. They demonstrated just how far they had come in the past few years. Also in attendance was the second of our local bands – the “Super” Shankill Road Defenders who also put on an impressive show with a range of jigs and marches.
The Officers and Members of the Millar Memorial Flute Band would like to thank both the performers and the publc for helping us make our second cultural day a raging success. The overall aim of the day was to promote our culture and heritage through a program of music and events. We hope to see you all again next year.
Shankill Drumming Club
Pride of the Raven Flute Band
Albertbridge Accordian Band
