80th anniversary for Wellington Memorial

80th anniversary for Wellington Memorial

20 August 2025

WELLINGTON Memorial Silver Band is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a special concert next month.

The concert takes place in Crossgar War Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 6, at 7pm.

The band was formed on May 27, 1945, in Barnamaghery Orange Hall where it still practises to this day.

But its origins date back to 1903 when it began as a flute band known as Wellington Defenders Flute Band and was one of the founding bands of the North of Ireland Bands Association in 1907. 

After World War Two, the band changed from a flute band to a silver band and has gone on to win many top musical awards ever since.

Some of the surnames most associated with the band over the years include Cunningham, Dickson, Hanna, Hamilton, Jackson, McClurg, Pentland, Ringland and Woods.

Next month’s special anniversary concert will feature pieces associated with all eight decades of the band conducted by Stephen Cairns. 

And there will be a special performance by Ruth Jennings who will be singing, with past players from the band coming back to join the finale.

Memorabilia and old photographs will be on display for viewing from 6:30pm, with the performance starting at 7pm. 

Band member Callum Bowsie said they were “delighted” to be holding an anniversary concert for the whole community.

“It’s what we’ve been doing for 80 years,” he said.

“Brass bands are hard to maintain and it’s important we recognise the huge achievement it is to still be going eight decades later.

“Carol services, band parades, summer fetes and concerts just wouldn’t be the same in Northern Ireland without the contribution of brass bands.”

Mr Bowsie said that while the band travel around the country performing at various contests and concerts, they love to play locally. 

“When we are on parade, people often wish they could listen to the band for longer, so this is a great opportunity to come along for a trip down memory lane as we perform music from the decades and celebrate our 80th birthday,” he said.

No tickets are required for the concert and any donations on the night will go towards Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.