Published Date:
11 March 2009
James McIlhatton, originally from the Stranocum area but now living in Ballymena, contacted us with information about this photograph we had in last week's paper of Stranocum Independent Accordion Band.
He said the band was formed in 1954 to replace an old flute band and the picture was taken in 1956 when he was 16. That's him behind the big drum. The band was attached to the Independent Orange Order and James was not only in the band but in Independent Lodge No. 32.
He was a member of the band playing the bass drum for seven years until he left to work in England. He said the band was trained by former Ballymoney music shop owner Johnny Owens. Tommy O'Neill was Bandmaster but the band folded in the late 1970s, said James. The band members were: Back row (left to right) - George Simpson, John Shaw, Sammy Simpson, Leonard Stewart, Robert Anderson, Jim McClenaghan, Ackie Stewart, Sammy Knox. Middle row (l-r) - Jim Beckett, Johnny Stewart, Sammy Simpson Jnr, Patricia Stewart, Tommy O'Neill, Billy Henry, Robert Stewart. Front row (l-r) - Louis Hickinson, Johnny Simpson, Margaret McClenaghan, James McIlhatton (16 at the time), Georgina Stewart, George , Ronnie Brennan. The Times would like to thank James for supplying the details.
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Last Updated:
11 March 2009 11:22 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Ballymoney
