Garvagh
The aim of the band it to promote the Protestant culture and keep the long tradition of Protestant marching bands walking their traditional routes all over Northern Ireland celebrating and in remembrance of glorious King William III 'Prince of Orange' victories in battle in the 'Williamite Wars' of 1688 - 1690 against the Catholic papist King James II. The band leads Movenis LOL 642 Orange Lodge every year in the 12th of July celebrations which celebrates the famous and historic 'Battle of the Boyne' in which King William III's army defeated the army of King James II. This victory led to a dramatic change in Europe at the time and if it did not occur Europe and certainly the United Kingdom would be a very different place today, as Protestants were persecuted by their Catholic rulers and neighbours, backed by the church of Rome!
The band also attends the annual 'Apprentice Boys' Relief of Derry celebrations in Londonderry every year known as the '12th of August' but is now held on the Saturday closest to that date.
Most of the parades that we attend during the marching season are organised by other Protestant bands, whereby the band that is holding the parade usually holds a street collection in aid of band funds. This gives a good opportunity for the bands to show their skills and play their tunes to the large crowds that turn out to watch. Thousands of these parades are held annually across Ulster and is an important part of our culture and heritage in which our forefathers did before us. Republicans and Nationalists say that we have no Culture or Heritage and there aim is to deny us these rights that we have to march the Queens Highway and uphold our Loyal British rights to do so. Movenis Rising Sons of William hold their own annual parade each May, attracting a good number of bands and this year we are celebrating 100 glorious years in the formation of our LOL 642 Orange Lodge and band. This is something of great importance to us and no doubt will be holding events throughout the year to commemorate this. The band are to purchase new uniforms to mark the event and God willing will be admired by our local Protestant community in Garvagh and further afield.
Currently in the band of 2004 we have 12 side or snare drummers, 1 Bass drummer, 2 cymbal players and 23 fluters. We also have some new members who are currently learning both the flute and the drum and we hope to see another intake of members throughout the comming season. We pride ourselves in teaching young people how to play the instruments. This is no easy task and takes time for a learner to become a fully fledged band member. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome any one who would wish to join our ranks. The band holds it's weekly band practise each Monday night at 8 O'clock at Movenis Orange hall Garvagh. New members will be made most welcome. The band takes great pride in attracting most of it's members from the Garvagh area, and in the past year we have attracted new members from Coleraine, and other areas in the vicinity of Garvagh. The band indeed seems to have good support and has a good following from the town and it's district going from strength to strength each year. We would like to thank all of you for this support through out the years and we hope that you will continue to do so in the years to come.
No Surrender! and God Save the Queen!
