An old 1983 newspaper article from the then Ballymena Observer was unearthed recently with references to the original Sir George White Memorial Flute Band. The article included a letter sent to the paper from Mr James Sloan, an old member of the band who was now living in Toronto Canada.
The letter read as follows:
"It was in 1913 that Lady White, the wife of Sir George, gave the local Boys' Brigade permission for the newly formed band to bear her husband's name. She also presented them with their first set of drums. There are many stories of the older days.Older members of the band told us of the day when they led a party of troops from Cleggan Lodge into Ballymena at the start of World War One and how the tired members were treated to a meal in the Adair Arms."
" In the early fifties, when I was a member, the parades and celebrations we took part in were eagerly awaited by everyone. Mr William 'Dad' Adams was bandmaster at the time. He took over from Mr Jim CAldwell who had served in this role until his death. We were often told how strict Mr Caldwell had been with members and this strictness and stiff discipline continued during 'Dads' reign as bandmaster."
"Tuesday nights meant band practice, and, as older members wet their whistles in the Thatch, the young fellows like myself helped the new recruits with their tunes. Attendance was always 100 percent because of the great dedication members had to the band and its music."
"When we met other bands in contests and parades, 'Dads' eyes would twinkle as he told us 'Blow the ferrule off the end of your flute boys!'. I can remember the twelfth mornings when we paraded into Ballymena, walked to the field and walked back to Broughshane where we paraded the entire village. On one trip to Londonderry for the Apprentice Boys march I recall we lost our leader at some stage in the parade. As we marched back towards the station resigned to leaving him behind, who should appear but our leader - stepping out in front of another band!"
"Mr John Clyde, our President, should not be forgotten as he played a major part in supplying us with the new uniforms which we wore for the first time on Coronation Day June 2nd 1953. The picture below, taken on the Wilson Estate at Broughshane, shows the band in their new outfits.2
Picture will appear at a later date
"Some of the old timers have passed on, young members have grown up and married, a few like myself emigrated to other lands. I enjoyed every minute with my friends in the band and, yes, I still have my flute which I brought with me to Canada."
"I learned with sadness that the band had broken up some years ago but my heart was gladdened when I read in a July Issue of the Observer that Broughshane Young Loyalists had taken on the name of Sir George White Memorial once more. I was even more pleased to hear that in their first contest these 'New Bloods' carried off first prize in the Melody Flute competition."
A word of thanks to Mr Paul Adams ( Our Current Drum Major) for the loan of material use to compile this page.