Five Twelfth parades with different format

Five Twelfth parades with different format

7 July 2021

TWELFTH parades will be held across five local areas next Monday.

While there will be no traditional gathering of Orangemen in the one town for brethren from the Lecale, Castlewellan, Ballynahinch, Saintfield and Comber districts in the one town, they will be meeting separately.

Parades will take place in Killyleagh, Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Dundrum and Comber.

The traditional parades — the highlight of the marching calendar — were cancelled last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has confirmed a return to parading this year after discussions with Stormont health minister Robin Swann and his officials.

As there are no traditional county or combined District Twelfth parades in an effort to reduce large gatherings, events will be primarily localised in each area, rather than the traditional large-scale marches.

The Lecale District parade will be hosted in Killyleagh, with brethren and bands due to meet at the Showgrounds at the Comber Road on the outskirts of the town at noon.

The parade — expected to feature 15 lodges and six bands — will make its way to Frederick Street and will pause at the war memorial at Killyleagh Castle for a short wreath-laying ceremony.

Orangemen and bands will then make their way along Castle Lane into Plantation Street before emerging onto Catherine Street. It’s then into Irish Street, along Seaview, up Shore Street and High Street before returning to the Comber Road via Frederick Street.

The Saintfield parade will be hosted by the Saintfield District and will feature 20 lodges and six bands. Those on parade will include members of the District Junior Orange Lodge and two Ladies Lodges.

The parade is scheduled to move off at noon from Station Road and make its way to Todd’s Hill, Main Street, Ballynahinch Road, Moyra Drive, Moyra Crescent, Linden Close, Ballynahinch Road, Main Street, Downpatrick Street, Old Grand Jury Road and the Crossgar Road before heading back to Station Road via Todd’s Hill.

The Castlewellan District is staging its parade in Dundrum and will feature seven lodges and four bands.

Orangemen and bands are due to meet up at the playing fields at the Old Road in the village on the outskirts of the village and parade through the centre of Dundrum before stopping near the former police station and turning to make their way back to the car park.

In Ballynahinch, LOL No 763 is unveiling a new banner adjacent to the town’s Orange Hall in Dromore Street before members move off with the main parade featuring 14 lodges and four bands at 12.30pm.

The parade will make its way to High Street, Lisburn Street, Lisburn Road, Magheraknock Road and into the Langley estate before coming back out on to the Lisburn Road and into Lisburn Street.

Lodges and bandsmen will parade along Main Street, Harmony Way, Windmill Street and High Street before returning to the Orange Hall in Dromore Street.

The Comber parade — which starts at 12.30pm — will feature seven lodges and four bands.

There will be no speeches at any of the local parades with Orangemen and bandsmen dispersing at the conclusion of their respective parades.

Orange Order grand master Edward Stevenson said localised parades will be held in accordance with health regulations.

“As an institution we have had to make great sacrifice over the past 12 months and more, but we are now in a better place and our parades can take place, albeit in a slightly different format to a normal year,” he said.

“This year we will have smaller local parades, so it will be a Twelfth near home for most members. This is a positive step towards a return to our normal full parades, hopefully in 2022.”

Mr Stevenson said the regulations at this time do not permit the huge numbers many of the Order’s normal demonstrations would attract.

He added: “The Orange family has played an important part in our community’s fight against Covid-19. Unlike others in our society, we have sought to show responsible civic leadership and it important that we continue to do so to protect the health of not just our own members but the entire community.

“While the events may be smaller than usual, it will be good to get back on the road with our fellow Brethren, our bands and with the support of the entire Orange Family.”