Larne bandsman remembered by colleagues with graveside visit

A party from Constable Anderson Memorial Flute Band paying tribute to late member Tommy Steele at Glenarm.

Constable Anderson Memorial Flute Band members visited the graveside of Tommy ‘Loop’ Steele in Glenarm.

The tribute party included three of Mr Steele’s daughters.

Tommy (58), who died in November past, had played with the Larne band for 40 years.

Greenisland Temperance L.O.L. 1552
at Knockagh War Memorial, Greenisland, on July 11. — Greenisland Temperance L.O.L. 1552 at Knockagh War Memorial, Greenisland, on July 11.

A band spokesperson said: “You will never be forgotten Loop and you will walk with us each and every time we are on parade.”

With the Orange Order cancelling its traditional demonstrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the message from the Grand Lodge of Ireland was to celebrate the Twelfth “online, in your home, at your door, with families and neighbours”.

Constable Anderson Memorial Flute Band underlined this message too ahead of a parade around Boyne Square, Larne.

Members were accompanied by several representatives from LOL 1297 Boyne Defenders to help marshall the event and during the “return route” packs of sweets, flags, colouring in books and other treats were distributed to children.

Bro. Colin Scott, Deputy District Master, Wor. Bro. William Thompson, Worshipful District Master and Bro. Brian Graham, District Secretary, Boyd Memorial L.O.L. 312, at Knockagh War Memorial Greenisland. on Saturday evening

“Constable Anderson Memorial and LOL 1297 wish you a safe and enjoyable Twelfth from your home,” the band spokesperson added.

The Factory Community Forum hosted ‘Stay at Home Party’ on Saturday and ‘Twelfth at Home’ programme on Monday also featured Clyde Valley, Cairncastle and Anderson Auld Boys flute bands.

It was a similar story in neighbouring towns. In Carrickfergus both Ulster Grenadiers and Carrickfergus Defenders paraded through the housing areas off the North Road.

A Belfast band, Whitewell Tartan, also paraded and included a stop off at Carrick Manor Nursing Home to play for residents.

In Newtownabbey, a number of bands provided music including Rathcoole Protestant Boys and Cloughfern Young Conquerors, who had parades around the Rathcoole area.

Meanwhile, social distancing was observed as Boyd Memorial LOL 312 (Sixmilewater District LOL No.10) and Greenisland Temperance LOL 1552 (Carrickfergus District LOL No.19) made visits to Knockagh War Memorial, Greenisland, on Saturday evening (July 11).

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