**RESCHEDULED** Downshire Guiding Star
14 Oct 2022
Band Parade
After some consideration with events of yesterday, the band has decided to hold the annual parade on Friday 14th October.The move away from the usual 2nd Friday in September now means that the parade will take place close to the date that band was formed back in 1981As normal all bands will be greatly welcomed, and the orange hall will be opened for the sash bash afterwardsMore details will follow in the coming weeks 
ANNUAL BAND PARADERoute:Commercial Road Car ParkCommercial RoadNewry StreetBridge StreetChurch SquareBridge StreetNewry StreetOld Kenlis Street
&location=Banbridge,%20Banbridge,%20Banbridge,%20Northern%20Ireland,%20United%20Kingdom&trp=false&ctz=Europe/London&sprop=website:https://ulsterbandsforum.com){kind=link}
DOWNSHIRE GUIDING STAR PARADE AND COMPETITION 2022 🇬🇧⭐️
SPECTATORS AND VISITING BAND INFORMATION
As we approach the big night on Friday 9th September we have some information about our parade below:
⭐️The Parade
Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band will begin the parade, moving off from Banbridge Orange Hall and parading the town. There will be a short wreath laying ceremony at Banbridge War Memorial for L/Cpl Stephen McKee before the band finishes
The main parade will move off from 7:30pm approx. and proceed through the town. There is two finishing points at the end of the parade to try ease congestion. All bands are welcome.
Band members will also be collecting money towards bands fund, so dig deep!
⭐️Parking and Traffic
Banbridge has number of large car parks in the town centre marked on map below (Townsend street, Solitude car park, Coach Car park and Downshire place Car park etc.) as well as a number of other smaller car parks and spaces around the town which are suitable but will fill up quickly. Please be aware of parking charges and car parks which close early in the area (LIDL Car park etc.)
Police have advised for Band Buses to use Banbridge Leisure Centre for parking (a 1 minute walk from the town centre).
Banbridge town centre will be packed on Friday night and there will be a lot of hold up while trying to get through the town. We would encourage those who are not going to the parade to avoid the town centre while driving and to use Kenlis street, Scarva street, Rathfriland street and the Castlewellan road to get round the town without entering the centre to avoid hold ups.
⭐️Various
The Sash Bash will take place in Banbridge Orange Hall on Victoria street (marked on map) approx a 5 minute walk from the centre of the town.
Drinking on the street is Banbridge is prohibited
Please refrain from sitting down along the side of the bridge for safety reasons.
Marshalls and band members will be organising the parade so please show respect and listen to them if there is any issues
If there is any other information needed please don’t hesitate to contact us.
With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we have made a decision to postpone our parade as a mark of respect.
The band would like to send our deepest sympathy to the entire royal family.
The 70 year reign of our monarch is something that will likely never be seen again. Her courage, dedication and strength through the years has been an inspiration to the country.
We would like to apologise to all bands and supporters who planned on attending our parade and hope you understand our decision
🇬🇧🌹