Pride of the Shore Flute Band.

Having came toghether in the year 2000 a special relationship between L.OL 513 and their musical accompanyment has developed beyond the now legal contractural formalities into one of fellowship and commaradery. Banter and jesting are the norm toward and from the band and here we hope to give the reader a short insight into the "Blood and Thunder", that is PRIDE OF THE SHORE FLUTE BAND.

"They're not so very many, but they're loyal and their true". Privately sponsored with soaring running costs from all who would deem loyal fraternities and organisations "fair game", it would seem a miracle that a flute band the size of Pride of the Shore can stay afloat at all, let alone be one of Ulster's finest. Four and twelve bands ( four drummer's, twelve fluter's) give the main back bone to this centuries old tradition, pulling member's from the local area and doing what is really community work by taking young lads off street corner's and giving their political frustration a sense of direction and input. All this achieved by nothing but loyalty, dedication, and Commaradery.

Of course all the issues associated with off the road problems dispel once that sacred black uniform is donned for a parade. A buzz of excitement a test of the flute and perhaps a wee tot for the older member's, either to loosen up the arthritis or settle the nerves, I'm not sure which.

It was often said of the scorn of a woman that you could "hear her coming, before you see her", well in the case of Pride of the Shore the same can be said as a compliment. The first sign of their coming would be the sea of heads linning the roads and lanes cocking their heads further back along the line of the parade whispering the rumour "is that Pride of the Shore?". An individual of normal size would struggle to see over the throng of people but eye's are not needed here and as the band strikes up into "Double Forties", you would swear that Belfast's tall buildings themslves were going to come down upon you. With the impression that there's thunder in the skies, the peolpe automatically duck their heads into their jackets in the split second before realization that Pride of the Shore have arrived.

Come January 2005 Pride of the Shore will be celebrating it's twentieth anniversary. Having been formed in the middle of Ulster's troubles it would seem only appropriate that the bands particular style of play is traditional loyalist music telling tales of struggle, prejudice persecution and liberty. Some people class this type of music as "kick the pope" but whatever it's guise, centuries of bloodshed fighting papist tyranny has made their music the core of Ulster heritage.

Nicknamed the "Pots Fb" Pride of the Shore rapidly made a name for themselves and can now be considered one Belfasts "Elite" among bands. To quote one of the band member's own words below one can reminise that initial success. "After a tough night on the Shankill we managed to win our first trophy and through pride and adrennalin walked home to an all night party behind the old grove theatre." Going from strength to strength "POTS FB" then started to win where and when they were parading, with the highlight being an impressive six trophy haul in Carrick & Rathcoole with none being less than first prize.

The band was, and still is, self funding and throughout the years have acquired various uniforms from black & grey to blue & tartan, and returned to black & grey again.

The band like many others was up & down, often defying odds, flirting with absolvtion. The low point was Londonderry with the apprentice boy's when only three drummer's and nine fluter's managed to parade. Hopefully, with a hardcore of loyal member's the POTS cancarry on.

L.O.L 513 though are not the only loyal order to vie for the POTS affections and they also enjoy the friendship of all lodges they take and associate with. These are listed as Star of the South, Duke of York and RBP 210.

The band has a charitable side to it and often contribute to needy causes when funds become available. Having their own parade every September 18th, the Shore Road will vibrate to the sound of flutes and drums.

Finally, I'll leave with a wee song derived from the member's of Pots FB.

"You've heard of Picadilly and Londons famous strand, and all the lovely places throughout Ireland, but there's one place that will beat them all no matter where you go, it's the heart of loyal Ulster and it's called the Shore Road."

SPECIAL THANKS TO POTS FB SECRETARY J AIKEN WITHOUT WHOM THIS INFORMATION WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.