Member's statement: Flute Bands: East Londonderry
Member's statement by Mr Alan Robinson on .
- MLA
- Mr Alan Robinson
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 25 March 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Flute Bands: East Londonderry
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4866219
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I pay tribute to well-respected and popular flute bands in my constituency that, this year, celebrate significant milestones in their long history. Ballyquin flute band was formed in 1925 and, this year, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. I want to applaud the bandmaster, Mr David McKeegan, who, along with the band members, has been leading a year-long programme of events that is well under way. They have been holding cultural nights and concerts with high-quality line-ups. Later in the year, they will run a marathon, involve themselves in fundraising, among many other ventures, and put on a 100th-anniversary parade in Limavady that will see the streets of that town packed and the finest marching bands travelling from across the Province to show their support for a unique blood-and-thunder flute band that is one of Northern Ireland's finest. This year, Edenmore flute band will celebrate its 135th year on the road. It is the oldest band in the Limavady district. As a former member, I have a close affinity with the band; indeed, it is a pleasure to walk behind the band during key celebrations during the year as a member of Edenmore "No Surrender" Apprentice Boys. Ten years ago, when I was mayor of Limavady Borough Council, I ensured that the band visited the council chamber, where it was the first fully uniformed flute band, with its standard, to visit Limavady's council chamber and mayor's parlour. The band has an illustrious history, having travelled throughout the Province and participated in events in Scotland. Being in a marching band is like having a second family; indeed, that can be said of both of those distinguished flute bands. Friendships become bonds for life. Lifelong friendships have developed in Edenmore and Ballyquin; indeed, relationships have blossomed into lifelong marriages outside the band environment. Generations of local families have stepped out in the proud colours of both bands. I have no doubt that many generations will continue to do so, with members not only from the rural areas of the Roe valley but from far beyond the areas where they were born. Both bands are solely about expressing their proud identities and celebrating their heritage. I want to tell both bands how incredibly proud I am that they continue to promote, partake in and celebrate our treasured culture. On this anniversary year and ahead of the marching season, I encourage them both to continue to wear their uniforms and fly their colours with immense pride. From the seat of government in the Province, I hope that they both have a thoroughly enjoyable year.
429 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.09 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.72).
- Subject area: Parades, bonfires and commemorations.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.13 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.04 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.06 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.06 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.03 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.09 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.72 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.28 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.54 |
| Sport (including the GAA), the arts and cultural bodies | 0.18 |
| Sectarianism, hate crime and community relations | 0.16 |
| Another identity-related subject | 0.05 |
| Religion and belief (including people of no religion), churches, faith communities and religious prejudice (including antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice) | 0.04 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:07 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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