How we’ll be marking a Twelfth like no other
Demonstrations were officially cancelled three months ago... but the occasion will still be marked
ORANGEMEN across Northern Ireland have told how they are preparing to celebrate a Twelfth like no other.
The festivities will have a very different feel this year after the cancellation of the annual parades due to Covid-19.
From drive-in church services to small wreath laying ceremonies, people have been busy making alternative plans.
The decision to cancel parades was announced in April by the Orange Order’s Grand Secretary, Mervyn Gibson.
The last time the Twelfth was cancelled was in 1944 during the Second World War. It was also called off during the First World War and the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918.
With July 12 falling on a Sunday this year, the official Twelfth demonstrations would have taken place on Monday.
Around Northern Ireland, plans have hastily been adapted to ensure the big day is still marked.
In Co Londonderry, the Twelfth celebrations in Limavady should have been a particularly momentous year for William Hamilton, who is believed to be the Orange Order’s oldest member.
Mr Hamilton celebrated his 100th birthday in January and was eagerly anticipating the parade around Limavady as a centenarian.
He has been a dedicated member of his local Ballynarrig Lodge for the past 83 years since he joined his father, also William, where he was treasurer for an impressive 74 years, again following in his father’s footsteps.
Limavady District Secretary Jonathan Holmes said that while it is disappointing the hundreds of Orange Order members and accompanying bands will not parade this year, people’s health was paramount.
“William Hamilton, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year and who is a member of my own lodge, was due to take part in our parade this year so for this reason alone, we are very disappointed that the parade isn’t going ahead, let alone our general overall disappointment,” he said.
Billed as the Twelfth that never was, 200 commemorative badges marking the 330th Boyne celebrations in Limavady produced before this year’s event was cancelled have been sold as “collectors items”.
Elsewhere in Co Armagh, the County Grand Lodge has donated over £61,000 to local health services.
Lodges across the county began working within their communities to raise money to buy personal protection equipment (PPE) and make donations to health bodies.
Craigavon Area Hospital received a cheque for £10,000, the Southern Area Hospice in Newry accepted £5,000, while £8,000 worth of PPE was also acquired.
Roger Gardiner, County Secretary for Armagh, said the donations proved that the Orange Institution is more than just a parading body and was willing to help everyone in the community.
“We gave £10,000 to Craigavon Area Hospital and they were totally amazed because it was the biggest donation that they had received in respect of this whole crisis,” he explained.
“It shows we are more than just a parading organisation, we are community-based and it’s not just about the Twelfth of July. It’s about helping and supporting all communities, not just one.”
Armagh District LOL No 5 were due to host Monday’s sole demonstration in the county before Covid-19 struck, and 5,000 Orangemen were set to parade.
Meanwhile, Carrickfergus District Lodge will be holding a short service at the King William statue outside the town’s castle on Monday morning in Co Antrim.
With 25 districts and around 7,000 Orangemen normally taking part in the Twelfth parades, the County Antrim Grand Orange Lodge is the biggest in Northern Ireland.
Five parades were planned to be held in the county.
Billy Thompson, County Secretary for Antrim, said they will be holding drive-in church services to mark the Twelfth.
“Some of the lodges are holding smaller services, such as Glenavy, who are holding one on
Monday as well,” Billy explained.
“The district will be able to get together for a short time and have a service. A lot of the lodges are doing small ceremonies at the local war memorials and most of them will be on Monday morning.”
District lodges in Co Fermanagh have been encouraged to post the best pictures of families celebrating at home this Monday.
Fermanagh’s parade was supposed to be held by Enniskillen District LOL No 5 in the town but the County Grand Lodge has a range of other events in store.
Stuart Brooker, the Assistant Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and past County Grand Master of Fermanagh, explained that they will be taking the lead from the Grand Lodge’s Twelfth at Home initiative by encouraging people to tune into Radio Boyne, hosting family barbecues and displaying banners in scenic spots.
“The county is actually running, which will feed into our awards night, our best Twelfth photograph,” added Stuart.
“We’re encouraging districts to be very different this year and send in photographs of what folk have been doing at home. We’ll see what comes of that and it’ll be an interesting project.
“We’re also working alongside the Grand Lodge, who have been encouraging lodges within strict guidelines, to maybe have their banner out with a small number of brethren at an iconic location.”
Yesterday Health Minister Robin Swann urged the public to abide by the public health advice.
“This year marks the 330th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne and under any normal circumstances it should have been a time for celebration and social gatherings,” he said.
“However, this year is different, and as the virus still lingers it still presents a threat to all in society, but especially the most vulnerable. So I would urge everyone — bands, lodges and supporters — to support the Twelfth at home.”