“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.”
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