BAND HISTORY
Formed in 1979 by four former members of the Foyle Defenders Flute Band,
the Orange and Blue began their practices in Cullion Orange Hall that
September.
Having agreed on the name for the band, a uniform of white jumpers with
orange and blue trim and blue trousers with an orange stripe, was chosen.
The following year a dedication ceremony, conducted by the Rev. Ian Paisley
and Mrs. Anna Hay, was held on the Dam Green in Newbuildings.
Being unable to obtain an engagement for the Londonderry ‘Twelfth’,
the band was fortunate to be engaged by a Belfast lodge for their celebrations.
The band proudly attended there for several years before accepting a booking
closer to home with Curryfree Glen True Blues LOL 1060, with whom they
now have a close affinity.
It also proved difficult to obtain a steady booking for the ‘Twelfth
of August’ celebrations and the band took engagements with several
Co. Down and Co. Antrim Apprentice Boys Clubs before capturing the prize
booking with the Baker Parent Club, which continues to the present time.
New uniforms in 1982 led to a major change, musically, to the band. Military
marches were now included and a slight move away from the ‘blood
and thunder’ that had been adopted since its formation. The undoubted
highlight of that year was a trip to Scotland where parades with the Royal
Black Preceptory took place in Glasgow and Ayr.
The band was now attending 30 to 35 parades annually and by 1985 had marched
in every county in Ulster including Co Donegal.
In 1995 came the purchase of another new uniform and with it another change
musically. It was not back to the ‘blood and thunder’ but
more 1st flute with attention being given to musical achievement and definition.
The current uniform of orange jackets and soon to be royal blue with orange
silver trims.
Although smaller in numbers now than in previous years the band still
remains a group of dedicated members ever striving to produce good music
coupled with style and appearance.
Twenty-year service tankards were presented to the bandmaster P. Barnett
and President K. McFarland in 2000.
FOUNDER MEMBERS
Mr J. Keys
Mr A. Skeet
HONOURED FRIENDS
The late Mr W. Hewitt (drum maker Sandy Row,Belfast)
The late Mr W. McClintock
The late Mrs Anna Hay
Mr M. McKeegan, Past Master, Curryfree LOL 1060
Mr A. Ferguson, Secretary, Baker Parent Club, Apprentice Boys Of Derry
