The band was formed in 1934 under the name of COUNCILLOR COLE but, in 1935 it was changed the BALLYMACARRETT DEFENDERS. Although still an all-male concern, our first president was Mrs. S Barker a very generous lady who supplied the band with its first outfit. This consisted of 12 Crown AZ flutes, four side-drums, bass drum together with drum straps, mace pole, cymbals, triangle, music pouches, lyres and side caps, some of which were second-hand.
Some of the instigators who got together to form the band were Big John Matthews, Arthur Barker, Tommy Elwood, and Eddie Cummings. One of the first recruits to the ranks was a D. Best, father of the famous George who found fame at Old Trafford and elsewhere. The first practice was held in Nixons Yard in Roxbourough Street, But over the years since then the band has resided in a quite a few places and now coming from My lady’s Road it is firmly based in a place of its own on the Albertbridge Road in the heartland of the ballymacarrett district. Over recent years great strides to improve the whole structure of the bands performances and character have taken place with great success and now the public image is most admirable as contesting achievements would certify with the display cabinets crammed full of precious silverware.
Through the years the band has went from strength to strength and now is well known as one of the BEST MELODY flute bands in Northern Ireland. The band decided to join the N.I.B.A in December, 1989 and became members of the Flute Band League of Northern Ireland. Our first contest was the "Own Choice" in February 1990 and we gained fourth place. This was the first time a fourth place was recorded in the F.B.L and this was because of the recorded amount of entries that year, It has never occurred again. Our certificates hang proudly in the band room with the successes we have had since then. It reads like this: