In the beginning
When the Band first started taking parade engagements the Members always met at Swift Street, and it is no surprise to know that this was where Billy Cummings lived with his parents. They were very obliging and acted as cloakroom attendants for any member who had arrived wearing an overcoat or other item that wasn't needed on parade.
Later on when we had progressed to carrying our instruments in cases, the empty cases were piled in their living room to await our return. Of course there were always a small number who didn't need to take advantage of this free service if they had arrived in their cars.
Others indeed lived only a few doors away and so instead of crowding the Cummings home would meet at the side window of Tilly's Shop.
The entrance to the shop was right on the corner of Swift Street and Mount Street, and as you can see from the photograph, the shop was actually called the Mayfair.
This traditional meeting point for the band lasted until we moved to our present premises on My Lady's Road. Unfortunately, due to redevelopment in the area, parts of Mount Street have disappeared so we now have to march up My Lady's Road hill and through Cherryville Street on our way to Templemore Avenue to meet the gathering Brethren.
This first hill seems to be getting steeper for our long service members and is usually a good indicator of how you will survive the parade.