From East Belfast to the top of Ulster
Donation protected
First let me start with a bit about who we are and where it all began.
I'll keep it brief so you don't need match sticks!
At the start of 2019, East Belfast was shaken by the death of Ian "Big O" Ogle. Big O, for anyone that doesn't know, was a bands man who spent much of his years in the band scene.
A group of Big O's mates were approached by the Ogle family to play a few tunes, a few phone calls later, we all came to the conclusion it would be a fitting gesture to pick up instruments again.
On his first anniversary, a band of friends walked a few streets in East Belfast in memory of him. Having done this parade, many of the lads got that spark back for walking on the streets of Ulster. A few of the men came together about starting a new venture in East Belfast, something that kept commitment low but brought everyone back together.
Let's skip a few months to June 30th 2020 25 patriots came together & decided to form "The Loyal, East Belfast". A new band for the streets of Ulster that wants to bring back the traditional tunes of Loyalism and of course a few tunes with our unique twist just because we can!
The band has actively encouraged new young members to come along, providing education in many forms from learning a musical instrument to discipline, local history etc. It's been great getting these young lads in amongst the bands, forming a great friendship and getting them off the streets. Also with male suicide so prevalent in working class loyalist areas it gives a group of men an outlet that otherwise would not be there, an interest , a group of friends who hopefully could recognise the signs at an early stage.
Within a matter of weeks, the numbers grew, instruments were purchased and the invites started coming through the door.
Due to Covid-19, the 12th July was at home, so we brought the band to a few homes around East Belfast. This was great to "test the water" and what a success it proved.
So, now the time has come to start looking at uniforms etc. We are wanting help from our fellow bands men & women, businesses, unionists, loyalists and anyone else that's just feeling generous.
So what's the plan you ask? Well, the majority of the band have never scaled Slieve Donard, Ulster’s highest mountain! So that’s our challenge to get as many members of the band to the summit of Slieve Donard on Saturday 5th September, a huge challenge for this bunch of novices but with your support we will reach the summit!
Dig deep, be generous and help the wee band as your support encourages our continued commitment to reaching our goal of parading the streets of Ulster and beyond.
Every single donation, big or small will be appreciated beyond measure.
"THE LOYAL"
I'll keep it brief so you don't need match sticks!
At the start of 2019, East Belfast was shaken by the death of Ian "Big O" Ogle. Big O, for anyone that doesn't know, was a bands man who spent much of his years in the band scene.
A group of Big O's mates were approached by the Ogle family to play a few tunes, a few phone calls later, we all came to the conclusion it would be a fitting gesture to pick up instruments again.
On his first anniversary, a band of friends walked a few streets in East Belfast in memory of him. Having done this parade, many of the lads got that spark back for walking on the streets of Ulster. A few of the men came together about starting a new venture in East Belfast, something that kept commitment low but brought everyone back together.
Let's skip a few months to June 30th 2020 25 patriots came together & decided to form "The Loyal, East Belfast". A new band for the streets of Ulster that wants to bring back the traditional tunes of Loyalism and of course a few tunes with our unique twist just because we can!
The band has actively encouraged new young members to come along, providing education in many forms from learning a musical instrument to discipline, local history etc. It's been great getting these young lads in amongst the bands, forming a great friendship and getting them off the streets. Also with male suicide so prevalent in working class loyalist areas it gives a group of men an outlet that otherwise would not be there, an interest , a group of friends who hopefully could recognise the signs at an early stage.
Within a matter of weeks, the numbers grew, instruments were purchased and the invites started coming through the door.
Due to Covid-19, the 12th July was at home, so we brought the band to a few homes around East Belfast. This was great to "test the water" and what a success it proved.
So, now the time has come to start looking at uniforms etc. We are wanting help from our fellow bands men & women, businesses, unionists, loyalists and anyone else that's just feeling generous.
So what's the plan you ask? Well, the majority of the band have never scaled Slieve Donard, Ulster’s highest mountain! So that’s our challenge to get as many members of the band to the summit of Slieve Donard on Saturday 5th September, a huge challenge for this bunch of novices but with your support we will reach the summit!
Dig deep, be generous and help the wee band as your support encourages our continued commitment to reaching our goal of parading the streets of Ulster and beyond.
Every single donation, big or small will be appreciated beyond measure.
"THE LOYAL"
Organizer
The Loyal
Organizer