Made to Parade

Drumcree: High Court Ruling A High Court injunction has temporarily stopped Sunday’s planned Drumcree parade along the Garvaghy Road. In this follow-up to yesterday’s episode, I look at what the court decided, what remains unresolved, and what this weekend has achieved. Speaking as a bandsman, I ask whether the application has moved parading forward or made the dispute harder to resolve. I also co...

For the first time in almost thirty years, the Parades Commission has approved an Orange procession along Portadown’s Garvaghy Road. But the approval comes with significant conditions: 35 participants rather than the proposed 60, an 8am departure, no accompanying supporters, and no bands anywhere on the route. In this episode of Made to Parade, I look at the decision from my perspective as a bands...

Made to Parade Podcast | Episode 112 – Bandter #1 Ever wondered what happens when you simply hit record and let the conversation go wherever it wants? Welcome to Made to Parade: Bandter – our new off-the-cuff conversation series where there's no script, no agenda, just honest discussion about bands, music, culture and whatever else comes to mind. In Episode 112, Glenn Millar and co-host Sarah...

In this episode of the Made to Parade Podcast, Glenn Millar sits down with Will Casson-Smith, retired British Army Warrant Officer Class 1, former Band Master in the Corps of Army Music, professional musician and military music historian. Together they explore the rich tradition of the Corps of Drums, discussing its history, unique musical style, ceremonial role and the skill required to perform w...

For years, we've been told that certain cultural traditions are relics of the past, destined to fade away as Northern Ireland moves towards a different future. But what happens when even critics begin to acknowledge the strength of the community, identity and belonging that exist within those traditions? In this episode of Made to Parade, Glenn explores the growing recognition of unionist and...

So it’s culture now? For years, loyalist marching bands have faced the same criticism — “what culture?” or “that’s not culture.”But this year in Belfast, something shifted. A Protestant marching band took part in the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade, a moment that, for some, signalled progress, and for others, raised serious questions. Now, that conversation has moved even further, with the Belfast...

Scripture, Sash & Memory - Episode 1: Memory, Why We Refuse to ForgetBecause too often, Protestant marching culture is talked about without being properly understood. It’s reduced to headlines, assumptions or controversy, without exploring the deeper roots that shaped it. Scripture, Sash & Memory is about going beyond that. This series looks at how faith, history and community experience,...

This episode has been in my head for a while. There are certain melody band recordings that, when they came out, you just knew they mattered. You could hear the work put into it. That’s what this episode is about. I’m picking my personal Top 5 melody recordings, and for each one I’ll mention a standout track, just as a reference point. But this isn’t about ranking individual tunes. It’s about the...

Episode 106 | Made to Parade PodcastIn the new episode of Made to Parade, I sit down with long-time bandsman Dennis McNab for a look at early memorabilia of Pride of the Raven Flute Band. Spread out across the table is memory itself. Old Black Watch hat badges. Original dickie bows. A drum major’s sash worn by past leaders. Music pouches, coat badges, and repaired instruments with stories in every...

How Bands Take Care of Their Own | Gordon Ramsey on Loyalist Bands, Community & CareMade to Parade – First Episode of 2026What if marching bands were more than music and parades? What if they were also mental-health support networks, food banks, fundraising engines, and the glue holding working-class communities together? We’re kicking off 2026 with one of the most important conversations we’v...

In this special episode, Glenn sits down with Dennis - one of the near-founding members of the Pride of the Raven Flute Band - to look back at the band’s earliest days. From the first practices and handmade uniforms to unforgettable parades, rivalries, and the deep sense of community that shaped their journey, Dennis shares stories and memories that bring the band’s origins to life. Recorded along...

Episode 104 | Made to Parade Podcast This week marks a special moment for Made to Parade as we welcome our newest host, Sarah Carlisle, who takes the reins for the very first time. Sarah sits down with Kenny Cromie from Star of Down Flute Band, Maghera, as the band proudly celebrates their 50th Anniversary. Kenny takes us through the band’s journey: the early days, the highs and lows, the changes...

Episode 103: Marc Emery – Castlederg Young Loyalists Old Boys Flute Band The latest episode of Made to Parade is out now! In this week’s conversation, we’re joined by Marc Emery from Castlederg Young Loyalists Old Boys Flute Band — a group steeped in tradition and community pride. Marc talks about the band’s journey, the importance of local heritage in Castlederg, and what it means to be part of a...

In this episode of Made to Parade, we’re excited to introduce our newest co-host, Sarah Carlisle! 🎙️Sarah brings with her a lifelong connection to the Northern Ireland band scene, with deep family roots in the Brunswick Accordion Band. Her passion for music, community, and the people who make the band world what it is shines through as she joins the team to help share stories, celebrate achievemen...

Episode 101 – Made to Parade PodcastIn this episode we sit down with Kirk Patton of NI Band Services to hear his incredible story. From his early days in the band scene, to launching a business dedicated to bands, Kirk has become a recognised names in the and sceneKirk talks openly about his band history, the journey that led him to set up NI Band Services, and how he’s now producing custom flutes...

Made to Parade Podcast | Episode 100 | Featuring Jake McCleary – North Down Defenders We’ve reached a huge milestone — the  100th official episode of  Made to Parade ! Alongside bonus episodes and special features over the years, this is a moment to celebrate the stories, music, and people that make our band scene so unique. And what better way to mark it than with the incredible story of  Jake Mc...

Is Northern Ireland really a financial burden on the UK? Should we believe the headlines claiming the Irish Republic is a thriving economic alternative? In this Made to Parade bonus episode, Prof Colin Coulter from Maynooth University challenges those assumptions. We explore the growing media narrative around a united Ireland referendum and break down the economic myths often used to promote Irish...

In this first episode of Made to Parade "Unfiltered", we’re joined by Rev. Mervyn Gibson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, to delve into one of the most visually recognisable – and often misunderstood – symbols of Ulster Protestant culture: the Orange arch. Erected in towns and villages across Northern Ireland in the lead-up to the Twelfth of July, these decorative a...

Tunes That Changed the Scene | Black Skull Flute Band – St. Louis BluesIn this episode of Tunes That Changed the Scene, we take a look at one of the most iconic band recordings to come out of Glasgow—St. Louis Blues by Black Skull Flute Band. Originally featured on their second tape, this track marked a bold shift in the sound and style of the band scene, blending big band swing influences with th...

Part 2 of the Made to Parade – Mental Health Live Podcast Special. This Episode is kindly sponsored by N.I. Band Services This time we’re joined by: Derek Moore  -@ William King Memorial Flute Band Londonderry Graeme Stevenson -  Portadown Defenders Flute Band Sarah Bunting - representing the  Belfast Bands Forum Together we’ll dive into the real-life highs, lows, and hard-won lessons of protectin...

Marching Minds – Part 1 | Made to Parade Live Podcast | Mental Health Arts Festival NIIt’s been a wee while since we posted, but we’re back with something really special. This is Part 1 of “Marching Minds”, a live Made to Parade podcast recorded as part of the Mental Health Arts Festival Northern Ireland and released to coincide with Men’s Mental Health Week. This episode brings together voices fr...

Made to Parade | Regimental Flute Band UVF East Belfast – 56 Years On The Road  🎶 In this special episode, we’re joined by  Gormy  and  Junior  from the  Regimental Flute Band of the Ulster Volunteer Force, East Belfast , as the band marks an incredible  56 years on the road . We take a deeper look into what it means to be part of a band with such a strong legacy, how they’ve stayed relevant acro...

Episode 96 – Flute Band Church Belfast | Pip & Rev Ross In this episode of  Made to Parade , we’re joined by Pip and Rev Ross to talk about an exciting new initiative:  Flute Band Church Belfast . Building on the inspiring success of  St Mark’s Church in Portadown  – which featured in a previous episode – Pip and Rev Ross share their vision for creating a space in Belfast where members of the...

Episode 95 – Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band: 40 Years on Parade  🎶 Special Guest: Mervyn Stirling In this episode of  Made to Parade , we’re joined by  Mervyn Stirling  from the  Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band  as the band marks its  40th anniversary  in 2025. Formed in 1985, LSOW has grown into a respected name in the  blood and thunder  scene, with a proud legacy of paradi...

Made to Parade episode 94 - Ewan David & Ulster Accordion Bands 🎶🥁 In this episode of Made to Parade , we sit down with Ewan David to explore the world of Ulster accordion bands —and the role they play in the marching band scene today. Ewan shares his experiences, insights into the dedication behind these bands, and what makes accordion bands unique compared to other styles. Whether you'...