Randalstown Sons Of Ulster Flute Band completed 25 parades in 2009.  These ranged from hometown parades to parades as far away as Belfast and Coleraine.  The band attended 28 parades in 2008 but with new members in the ranks from places such as Castledawson and Ballyclare, the band is quickly growing and aiming to attend 30 plus parades in 2010.  This hopefully will see an increase in the number of bands attending our annual parade in April 2011. 

The band's 21st annual parade took place on 18th April 2009 with a turnout of 26 bands.  The numbers were down on previous years but the band is working hard to bring back more bands next year.  The parade passed off peacefully and was a great success.  The band would like to thank all the volunteers who worked to make the parade a success and the PSNI for their help.  The band would like to say a very big thanks to Castlederg Young Loyalist Flute Band and Pride Of The Bann Flute Bann who travelled a long distance to Randalstown and only got to parade a short distance at the end of the evening.  Also the band would like to thank the general public who turned out in the cold weather to support the band.

Bands In Attendance:

Kells S.O.W.

Dunamoney

Steeple Veterans

Maghera S.O.W.

Ballyclare P.B.

Ballycraigy Auld Boys

Ballykeel L.S.O.U.

Cloughmills Crown Defenders

Star And Crown Castledawson

Ahoghill L.S.O.W.

Ballycraigy S.O.U.

Tobermore Loyal

Montober

Ballymoughan Purple Guards

Ballymaconnelly S.O.C.

Movenis S.O.W.

F.H. Crawford Memorial Ballymena

Freeman Memorial

Boveedy

Tamlough Coagh

Cullybackey Maine Defenders

Castlederg Young Loyalists

Ulster Protestant Boys

Ballyquin

Pride Of The Bann

 

Thanks to all - NO SURRENDER

 

 

June 2009 saw the band travel back to England for the first time in 10 years to again take part in the ABOD Southport parade, Liverpool.  The band this time led Lancashire and Cheshire Murray Branch Club. 

2009 has been a great year for the band.  At the end of the 2008 marching season the bands numbers were low, walking most weeks with 4 drummers and 9 fluters.  Thanks to hard work from the people of Randalstown, putting in the time to learn instruments and join the band, Randalstown Sons Of Ulster walked in Londonderry with 8 drummers and 16 fluters.

The band currently lead Randalstown Purple Star L.O.L. 941 on the 12th July and Randalstown ABOD Walker Club in Londonderry.  This year the Sons Of Ulster for the first time in their history saw them exceed a lot of peoples expectations and paraded Black Saturday leading Ballyhill RBP 366.  This was a massive milestone for the band.

Due to the rising numbers in the band, 2010 will see the release of a new uniform and if possible a set of 10 new side drums.  2011 will see the return of the twelfth to Randalstown and preparations are already in place.