This is the first article in the planned series looking at many of the well known bands from Northern Ireland and further afield. Here we begin with a look at one of the Premier bands in Ulster–not just in the realm of accordion I may add. Albertbridge have a history that dates back to the late 1950’s and have led from the front on many seperate occasions–colour party–foreign parades. Many thanks are due to the late Robert “Bobby” Duncan who related much of this history from far away Canada before his untimely death almost a decade ago. Robert was, of course a member of the band who blazed a trail for Ulster Bands by taking part in the Toronto 12th July Parade in 1968.
ALBERTBRIDGE ACCORDION BAND
EAST BELFAST
Albertbridge Congregational Church was actually situated in the Short Strand–at the corner of Thompson Street. The church hall was located in George’s Street which ran from the lower end of the Woodstock Road to Ravenhill Road. Attached to the church like many others at the time their was a local BB Company–the 56th. There were many local lads who became part of the 56th and served with distinction under Captain Bertie Boal. Upon leaving the BB at 18 some of those friends decided to form a band and the first meeting was arranged for Friday 9th August 1957, in the church hall. Seven members turned up for that meeting and are listed as W. Cummings. F. Stewart. R. Ewing. B.McCartney. J. Arbothnot. N. Gibson and J. Gibson. Billy Cummings is, believe it or not still an active parading member with the band!!
A-BridgeSome of the names mentioned for the band were Woodstock Defenders–Sons of Ulster and the 56th Old Boys but eventually they settled on the name Albertbridge Accordion. Next steps were to pay weekly dues–look at ways to raise funds and practice weekly with some second hand instruments. The first practice sessions were held in a hall which was owned by Wolff Star on the Newtownards Road and they soon obtained a “uniform”. Grey trousers–white shirts–red tie and a variety of peaked caps. Easter Tuesday 1958 is a day of significance in the Bridge’s history. It marked their first official outing, alongside Christian Crusaders Junior LOL 27 to Bangor. Quite quickly their prowess and reputation grew as did the number of outings. They moved from Wolff Street to Clermont Lane on the Woodstock Road and practiced in a tiny room owned by The Duke of York public house. Practice nights were shared with the Duke of York Pipe Band who used the room above!! As far as parading went it became traditional for the band to assemble and leave from Swift Street where Billy Cummings family home was. Across the tiny street from Billy’s house was Tilly Martin’s sweet shop–The Mayfair–and this was where the band set off from through the early sixties. From Tilly’s to Templemore Avenue–the starting point of most parades–was a very short distance and was the usual route. This departure point remained until 1971 when the band moved to a new practice location in the Union Rooms on the My Lady’s Road. Eventually the band raised the funds to buy the building some years later and it remains their base forty odd years on.
Albertbridge were extremely lucky in that throughout their illustrious history they have retained members who were totally dedicated and had the band–and the culture it stood for–at heart. Stalwarts from those days worth mentioning were Big Scotty–Bobby Dowds–Brian Nelson–The Long brothers–Geordie Coulter–Alex Gordon–The Dane brothers–Bobby Duncan, Jimmy Nicholl and a long host of others. During this time there was great camaraderie within the band and one of the more colourful characters was the much missed John Halliday–the original Doc. Who will forget the Doc on the many occasions acting Drum Major–always sure of a laugh there!!–a departure from his usual role of “Playing the Flag”. In the mid sixties the uniform was slowly changing to trousers with an added stripe and pullovers plus caps that were all the same!! In 1968 the Bridge made history by becoming the first band from these shores to march in the Toronto parade. In the months leading up to it they went into overdrive as far as gathering funds went because not only did they pay their own way to Canada but purchased a new uniform at the same time. This was the first uniform proper and was a signal that after eleven years of blood, sweat and tears the band had arrived. At the same time they were establishing themselves as a very talented outfit with a wide repertoire of songs.
Being an accordion band meant that they were hard to put a label on–certainly not “kick the pope”–the forerunners to todays “blood and thunder ” bands. They could just as easily play complicated marches as well as the traditional Orange tunes. This was illustrated on their first LP which was released around this time..To The Field and Back. One of the abiding memories I have of the band after the Canadian trip was them including the Maple Leaf Flag in their innovative colour party–aptly named The Flying Squad. That was a big talking point.
Upwards and onwards could have been Albertbridge’s motto in those days because they certainly went from strength to strength. But nothing was achieved
by resting on their laurels and the continuing hard work of the core members paid dividends. There are still a considerable group of members with over 25 years service–others who have over 30 years service–and then Bap himself–who is still the treasurer!! An important addition from the not too distant past has been that of female members–something that would have been unheard of in the heady days of the 50’s or 60’s. The colour party has since been disbanded and “The God Squad” formed. The band always had a number of practicing Christians within the ranks and in 1992 the idea was hatched that a sub-band be formed to play only Gospel type music. Scotty, Victor Dane, Sam Ritchie and Robert Foster were amongst the first exponents and they made their debut in Cregagh Congregational church not long after.
In recent years Albertbridge have cemented their place in the folklore of accordion bands. Their name is synonymous with good music–they continue to play music the way it should be played–their reputation is second to none and they are welcome wherever they go. As a young boy in the early sixties, involved in flute bands it was always refreshing to hear bands from a different genre. 
Then, there were many silver and pipe bands to brighten every parade. It is with pride I fondly recall hearing the strains of Blackman’s Dream–or a reel like Marie’s Wedding as the Bridge approached. What memories!!
