There is a misconception that all bands do is march but every year they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. In December 2018 The Zacchaeus Project, the Armagh Bands Forum and the wider bands community joined forces to hold a Christmas Tree Festival in Kilcluney Orange Hall on the outskirts of Markethill.
Bands of all sizes and genres from Tobermore, Magherafelt, Markethill, Cookstown, Rathfriland, Birches, Stewartstown, Benburb and Pomeroy participated in creating a unique and wonderful display of 40 trees which told the Christmas Story in Bible readings and carols.
The event was opened by Mr Cyril Walker a Winter Special Olympics double medal winner and on the Saturday evening the crowd were treated to seasonal music by Blackskull Flute Band.
The festival was described by people who visited as being one of the most creative they had seen, the section that received the most comments was that which commemorated World War 1 and band members who had died during the last year.
Visitors to the event were treated to tea, coffee, mince pies and shortbread,
all provided by members of the marching band community.
The festival raised £3000 for three local charities,
the N I Air Ambulance and two Crohn’s and Colitis related charities, I.A. and Roberta’s Wish.
In January 2019 a dinner was held in Killymoon Castle, Cookstown for those involved
in the organisation and running of the event and the cheques were handed over to the charities.
All the money collected will be used to help people living in Northern Ireland.
Air Ambulance
Sr. Valerie Thom (Zacchaeus Outreach Project), Sharon Gibson (REACT),
Ivan Walker (Chairman of Armagh Bands Forum & Confederation of Ulster Bands),
Phyllis (NI Air Ambulance), William Bradshaw (Armagh Bands Forum).
I A
Sr. Valerie Thom (Zacchaeus Outreach Project), Sharon Gibson (REACT),
Ivan Walker (Chairman of Armagh Bands Forum & Confederation of Ulster Bands),
Anne Demick (I A Chairperson), William Bradshaw (Armagh Bands Forum).
Roberta’s Wish
Sr. Valerie Thom (Zacchaeus Outreach Project), Sharon Gibson (REACT),
Ivan Walker (Chairman of Armagh Bands Forum & Confederation of Ulster Bands),
Geri Eastwood, Jean Farr, Anne Wray (Roberta’s Wish), William Bradshaw (Armagh Bands Forum).