12th of July morn in East Belfast. There's a still silence in the village of Ballyhackamore, broken only by the steady thud of bandsmen's boots on the concrete. Black armbands in place. The Cambuslang Britannia Flute Band are marching to pay their respects at the family home of a special friend recently passed away, Brother Dessie Gorman. Star Of The North, LOL 1053.

The silence is gently broken with the familiar strains of Abide With Me, followed with Highland Cathedral.

Then, with lumps in throats and a nod of acknowledgement to Dessie's wife, son and daughter, the band solemnly march on to join the Lodge of which he was so rightly proud.

After a minutes silence, the Brethren and Bandsmen parade away from Ballyhackamore with heavy hearts, each with his own thoughts and memories of an absent friend who should be with us on this day.

They parade with the dignity, decorum and pride for which the Star Of The North is so widely known.

To Ballymacarret, to Edenderry then the long road back. East Belfast welcomes home its own once more.

Finally,the evening parade to Ballyhackamore, the Lodge safely returned home, another twelfth over, a Loyal friend remembered.

Our thoughts remain forever with Mary and the family.