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Over half a million sterling has been awarded to marching bands in Northern Ireland, it was revealed today.

Loyalist flute, silver and accordion bands from across the province were awarded grants of up to £5,000 each. Musicians from the nationalist side of the community also benefited, the Arts Council said.

Among successful applicants were the Hounds of Ulster and the Burntollet Sons of Ulster.

DUP Assembly member Ian McCrea used to play in the Dunamoney Flute Band in Magherafelt.

“Bands have been set up for years and sometimes their instruments are old so they need time to play them in,” he said. “That is why I want to see the grants being given earlier.”

The Hounds formed in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, in 2006 and have over 20 members. They received £5,000.

The Burntollet Sons are from Co Londonderry and described themselves as self-taught. They are on the look-out for new members. They also received £5,000.

According to their website they play The Sash, Blue Sea Ibrox, Billy’s March and Shepherd’s Boy among others. There were other bands from Strabane, Co Tyrone, included for grants.

A total of 101 bands were given £446,228 over the last three years. Separate Awards for All worth £84,238 will go toward musical tuition and performances.

The Arts Council said there was significant educational value in developing new musical skills among young people who would not have had the same access without the money.

A spokeswoman said: “The scheme is designed to increase the quality of music making in the community by helping bands, including brass, silver, flute and accordion, to replace worn out instruments and purchase new instruments.”

Sinn Fein Assembly member Paul Butler said: “There is demand for such funding for countless marching bands across the north, however, there must be mechanisms for the Arts Council and Awards for All to ensure that anyone receiving funding isn’t involved in sectarian bands such as the so-called ‘Blood and Thunder’ bands that are evident on our streets every summer.

“We have all seen marching bands carrying loyalist banners and flags or with loyalist emblems on their drums.

“Anyone engaged in such an intimidating campaign must be barred from this funding and a clear message must be sent that public money will not be used for sectarian purposes.”

The Arts Council said it was aware of its obligations under the equality legislation and added the previous round of funding had been independently and favourably reviewed.

Coa Pipe Band, in Fermanagh, successfully applied for their Instrument for Bands award in 2005/06

“It was great to get it as before our instruments were cobbled together; from three or four broken sets we would get one working set of pipes, which was still about 100 years old!

“With this funding we were able to purchase a full drum section and 16 sets of pipes; this allowed more young people from our very rural area to start learning to play music.”