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Ravenhill Temperance Flute Band

In 1902 a group of young men from the area of South East Belfast had an idea of forming a group in which they could have an outlet to fill their spare time and give them an interest thus Ravenhill Temperance Flute Band was formed.

Mr Samuel Moore was the band's first conductor and held the post for three years before being succeeded by Mr John Galbraith who remained with the 'Ravens' as they are popularly known for a period of twenty three years. Under his leadership the band grew in stature from a Melody Flute combination through Junior Part Flute to Senior Grade by 1910. With many successes along the way the band had to wait until 1920 for their first Senior honour, the Windsor Park March Contest.

The band's most prosperous period coincided with the appointment of Mr George Hawthorne Senior as conductor in 1938. Under his leadership the bands name and reputation was made, with the remarkable achievement of winning the N.I.B.A. Senior Flute Championship nine years in succession from 1949-1957. This legacy has been a hard act to follow for the band in the modern era, and although the band has never reached such heights since, it has still managed to maintain its reputation through good times and bad as one of the provinces leading Flute Bands, whether it be on Parade, in concert or on the Contest platform.

After Mr George Hawthorne's retirement in 1980, Mr Laurie Johnston was appointed conductor, with considerable success including winning the Belfast and Dublin Music Festivals. Lawrie was also responsible for introducing many new arrangements into the band's repertoire.

The band took part in Donegal's "Mary of Dungloe" Competition in the early 1980s and in spite of the then ongoing "troubles" were extraordinarily well received.

The band's current conductor Mr George Hawthorn (Junior) took over the baton, somewhat apprehensively in 1984 well aware of the reputation of his father, George has enjoyed considerable success by winning the F.B.L. Own Choice Contest in 1991 and also achieving, what his Father could not do by winning the Own Choice Spring Contest in Scotland on 1st May 1993.