In the year 2002, Dungannon Silver Band celebrated 100 years of music. For any organisation, 100 years in existence is a major achievement, and to all band members, was a very special and enjoyable year. This page simply describes all of the events which took place in our very memorable year. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Centenary Booklet:

We began the year by compiling and producing a Centenary booklet entitled "100 Years of Music" This booklet contains photographs and history spanning the 100 years of existence. The booklet was a great success and was in great demand. Very sincere thanks to Mr. Rainey Davidson and Mr. George Courtenay who together produced the book. Also thanks to the Band Secretary, Mr. David Leonard who provided much of the material. His late father, Mr. Jim Leonard, who was a very involved and dedicated member of the band kept a scrap book for many years which proved to be very useful.

Whit Friday Weekend:

The next major event for the band was when members and their families travelled to Saddleworth in Yorkshire, England, for the annual Whit Friday March Contests. We arrived at Liverpool Airport on Thursday evening, 23rd May 2002, where we were greeted by our 'tour guides,' Mr. and Mrs. Phil and Helen Beckwith of Champion Brass Promotions. We were then taken on a luxury coach to our hotel, just outside Oldham where we quickly checked in and discharged our luggage. Once all had been allocated rooms and Henry took longer than everyone else to get changed, we went to the 'Village Inn,' 'Uppermill,' where we received a civic reception and had a wonderful feast! A big surprise awaited us after all had been fed and watered (even Eric McAree!), when a giant birthday cake (with candles) was presented to the band, and to top that, the 'Greenfield Silver Band' appeared playing 'Killaloe' the well-known march and adopted tune to our Birthday Song! The Lady Mayor of Saddleworth presented our chairman with a lovely glass paperweight from the Parish Council of Saddleworth, to which our chairman suitably replied.

Whit Friday morning, 24th May 2002, all band members were up early, (well most of us anyway!), as we were taking part in the annual Whit Friday Morning parade, organised by the Churches in the local area. We were asked to head all the clergy and all the organisations connected with St. Chad's Church, just outside Uppermill. After a short service in the Church we assembled and marched to the village where we met up with other congregations and bands. All bands were brass bands, excellent!! The whole parade then moved off, paraded through the village, and back to the village park where an open air service was held. This really was a great experience for the band as we received a very warm welcome along the parade route and we were much appreciated by the congregation of St. Chad's Church. we then returned to our hotel where we rested before the contests which began at 4:30pm.

The first village we played at was called Hurst. Each band marched a short distance to the contest arena, then played their contest march, which in our case was, 'The Chieftan.' We started off a little nervously but after a few villages we had soon got the hang of it and everyone began to relax and really enjoy the event. Getting on and off the bus was even an ordeal, but good craic! When we arrived at a village the band got off the bus starting biggest instruments first and finishing with the smallest instruments. Then the supporters would follow. When getting back on the bus this process had to be reversed which sometimes proved difficult to understand for some members who had been sampling the local brews!! Throughout the course of the day we played in seven villages, the others being; Carrbrooth, Upper Mossley, Greenfield, Uppermill, Micklehurst, and Delph. By the time we made it to Delph it was around 10:30pm and we were really enjoying ourselves. The reception we received in Delph was fantastic, crowds on both sides of the street clapping and cheering as we marched along on cloud nine to the tune of Killaloe! They seemed to enjoy this march! After watching other bands playing in Dobcross where we were too late to take part we returned to our hotel around 1:00am weary, with sore lips, and ready for bed after one of the most days any of us had ever experienced with the band.