HISTORY

Formation of the band

In 1979 Southdown Defenders (SDD) were formed by Sammy Taylor and the late Alan Warton. In the SDD there were a number of members who were from the near by town of Rathfriland. The SDD were well known as being one of the best Blood and Thunder bands at that time.

In 1982 a number of Rathfriland members decided that they wanted a band in their hometown, after being "questioned" about this by the founder members of the SDD most of the Rathfriland members left leaving SDD to rebuild. Most of the groundwork had already been done so fund raising was the next step to get the band off the ground.

South Down Defenders prior to Pride of the Hill's formation

Some events that took place to raise funds were the likes of air gun shoots, selling firewood door to door, raffles and collecting cards. A hall was given to the new band; "well" a derelict schoolhouse more like but the members got stuck in and got it fixed it up so that they would have a place to meet and practice week in week out.

The first ever meeting was held in Aughnavollog Old School Hall on September 20th 1982, 30+ people were in attendance and decisions were made on things like the band name and also the badge.

The first photo of the newly formed Pride of the Hill Flute Band

The name "Pride of the Hill" was decided on by the members as the town Rathfriland sits high-up on a hill, other possible names were thought of but this one was chosen as it was original and a main feature of the hometown was incorporated in the name.

On the badge the Watertower was a popular choice among many of the members as it can be viewed for miles outside Rathfriland and is the first part of Rathfriland that comes into view when coming from Banbridge or Newry to the town.

The bands first badge.

The outline of Northern Ireland with the Union Jack and Red Hand inside and the crown above it represents our Loyalty to Ulster, Great Britain and also to the Queen and these symbols are widely used on many other band crests throughout Ulster and Scotland.

Also decided at the first meeting were the roles that certain individuals were to play within the running of the band, the money side was a job for Robert "Rabby" Brady, the band playing and leadership was for David "Bear" Kerr and the organizing and PR. side was a job for Harry "Heany" Henning. With Harry in the band second hand or second best would not do!

After many months of practicing and fundraising the bands first outing was the dedication parade in Rathfriland on 20th May 1983. The band was kitted out with a complete set of new uniforms, drums, flutes and flags that were bought with the help of the fundraising. There were 40 members out on parade on this day and after that the band widely known as "The Hill" was on the road.

Most people thought that "The Hill" was going to be a make shift outfit but that was not the case: the aim for this band was to be the best and set standards for others to follow. This was to be the beginning of what is now one of the best Blood and Thunder bands on parade, THE PRIDE OF THE HILL FLUTE BAND RATHFRILAND WAS BORN...

Uniforms

During our 25 years we have had six different uniforms with the current being dedicated at the beginning of the 2007 season.

The first uniform, which was purchased with the help of fundraising, which was a red jacket, white shirt, red tie, blue trousers and blue hats was dedicated on May 20th 1983.

The bands first uniform.

The second uniform saw a change in colour from the colour's red and blue to black and red trousers with red hats, white shirts and red ties. This was the uniform from 1989 until 1994 and was known as the "Black Magic" years of the band. There was also a change for the band badge as well as the colour with the Watertower being replaced with the crest of the SAS (wings and dagger), The Red Hand of Ulster and the Union Jack and Ulster Flag.

The second uniform or "Black Magic" era.

The bands second badge with the wings and dagger replacing the Water tower.

The third uniform again saw a change in colour with the black being replaced by grey with black ties, the only change being made to the badge was the background colour changing from red to grey. This was the uniform for the band from 1994 until 1998.

The third uniform 1994 - 1998.

The fourth uniform was dedicated in May 1998 in the bands fifteenth year, this saw another change in style for the band with the colour being changed once again to a light blue with four red and white bars going across the front of the jacket and a higher collar, navy ties and red hats. The badge was also to have a minor change with the Red Hand above the wings and dagger changing to the crown. This was the uniform from 1998 until the start of 2003 season.

The first of the "Air Force Blue" style of uniform.

Our fifth uniform was similar to the fourth, staying with the "Air Force Blue" colour, the only difference being that one extra bar was put on the front of the jacket and buttons the whole way up the jacket replacing the white shirts.

The uniform from 2003 - 2006

Ironically, this uniform was dedicated nearly twenty years to the day that the first was dedicated. Pictures of the four remaining members were taken along with the very first photo of the band in the new uniforms in 1983.

Another new badge was introduced for this uniform, it is a small silver badge with the letters "POTH" on it and was worn on the collars on the jacket and in the hat.

To celebrate the bands 25th anniversary, a new uniform, bannerette and flags were acquired for the 2007 season. When deciding on possible designs, the members chose to once again stay with Air Force Blue as the band had grown accustomed to this colour over the previous ten years. The bars across the front of the jackets remained, although it was decided to include less red on the front of the jacket to highlight the 25th or Silver anniversary. The badge was also changed, with the scrolls being changed to silver again to highlight our Silver Anniversary.

The current uniform, taken under the bands arch in Rathfriland Square July 2007.

The current band badge

Recordings

"Thunder from The Hill" and "Marching On" are the two recordings that we have made. "Thunder from the Hill" was recorded in 1990 during the "Black Magic" years and was very successful.

The follow up "Marching On" was made in 1998 and was even more successful with over 2000 CDs and 1000 tapes being sold with copies going as far as Austria, Germany and USA with the help of the Internet.

Highlights

Throughout the years there have been many highlights associated with the band. These have included taking part in the Glasgow Boyne Celebrations with East Kilbride Purple Guards LOL 54 and in recent years Calton Protestant Defenders LOL 221. On each occasion thousands of spectators lined the streets of Glasgow and gave the band a great reception which will stay in the memories of all the members who took part.

In September 2002, the band joined forces with Kilcluney Volunteers at the annual Downshire Guiding Star parade at Banbridge to form a massed band. With 12 in the colour party, 4 drum majors, 30 drummers, 5 bass drummers and 62 flutes we did the parade route and went under the cut twice. Members from both bands and many people have said that "Hillcluney", as it was called was definitely the highlight of the 2002 parade season and possibly the best sight that they had ever seen at a parade which might never be repeated on such a scale between two different bands.

In more recent years, there have been many highlights for the band. In 2008 the band celebrated 25 years on the road and along with a successful concert and parade, we organised a massed band and invited all ex-members to take part in parading the town at the end of the parade.

A few practices were held and it was great to see some old faces back out at the hall. Even though some hadn't lifted a flute or drum for nearly 20 years, it wasn't long before they were back in the swing of things! Although no definite number was counted, a fellow bandsman estimated that there were around 34 drums and 70 flutes on parade which recieved a great reception around Rathfriland Square from the locals and spectators.

More clips from the massed band are available in the gallery section.

2008 was also a great year for the band playing wise and for bringing a large number of younger members through. The band broke our previous record of trophies won, winning 80 at the competitions throughout the year and on 13th July in Scarva we paraded with our largest ever band, consisting of 4 in the colour party, 3 drum majors, 20 drummers, 3 bass drummers and 40 flutes.

The band would like to thank all our supporters, members and ex-members who have helped make the band what it is over the past 25 years as we strive to make the next 25 as successful.

Going forward our main aims are simple - to ensure that the band continues to promote our heritage and culture in the best way that we can. Down the years many others have been trying to destroy this culture, however 2008 saw another highly successful season with many parades attracting more spectators and bands than they ever previously did. This can only be good for the band scene and certainty proves that "The Future is Bright, the Future is Orange!"

Below is a history of the trophies won since 1989.

Pride of the Hill Poem

Here is a poem that was written by a member of the band and is sang to the tune of Sandy Row.

PRIDE OF THE HILL
In a hall in Aughnavallog, just outside Rathfriland Town,
There meets a Loyalist Flute Band, the best there is around.
Their loyal hearts and stout and true, their music gives a thrill.
They're the best Flute Band in Ulster'sLand and they're named Pride of the Hill.

Each Monday night in every week, we all will gladly join,
to play our tunes which commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.
Our drums will beat, our flutes will play, our Orange flags will fly.
For Pride Of The Hill will lead them all on the Twelfth Day of July.

And when that day comes round each year, we'll all be looking grand,
and people will proudly say "They're the best band in the land".
Our loyal hearts are stout and true, our music gives a thrill
We are the best band in the land and our name's Pride of the Hill.