Our Lodges

A District of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

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EX-SERVICEMEN SUPPORT HOSPICE

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice were in attendance at a recent meeting of LOL 1952, when the lodge were able to hand to the charity a donation of £2250. This sterling effort was greatly appreciated by the hospice and the lodge members would like to thank all of those who contributed to their fund-raising efforts.

NEWTOWNARDS HOSTS 12TH DEMONSTRATION

Newtownards basked in sunshine as thousands of participants and spectators brought the colour of The Twelfth back to the town on Monday past.

The local District lodge welcomed the traditional visitors from Bangor, Holywood and the Ards peninsula as well as those from mainland Britain to celebrate the 320th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. The town was hosting its first 12th demonstration in five years and a better day could not have been provided.

The streets were packed with expectant crowds from early morning, waiting for the main demonstration to begin at noon. The parade was headed by four horses, symbolising the white horse of King William III and behind them followed several dozen lodges and bands.

The march to the field at Londonderry Park was just over an hour, and once there, the marchers were free to take the time to rest or browse the collection of stalls. The religious basis of the parade was in evidence too as officers from the four Districts in attendance took part in the usual platform proceedings. Guest speaker there was Bro Nelson McCausland, MLA, while the newly-elected MP for Strangford, Jim Shannon was also part of the parade.

The day had begun early for many, with the traditional breakfast at the home of each Worshipful Master. Gradually the lodges converged on Mary Street, the hub of the parade, and fell in behind lead lodge King George VI Memorial LOL 1973.

As the afternoon drew on and the visiting Districts broke off to begin the journey back to their towns and villages, the Newtownards lodges finished their day in Conway Square, satisfied that it had been yet another Glorious Twelfth.

» [see the parade in pictures]

SUPPORTING HELP FOR HEROES

The members of Newtownards District contribute to a number of charities each year in a variety of different ways. Offerings from church services, private members' subscriptions and directs sponsorships are just some of the ways that our members reach out to worthy causes.

This year, Newtownards District has nominated a charity for the whole of 2010, which will see fundraising efforts concentrated in order to make a large donation come the end of the year. The chosen charity is Help For Heroes, a group established in 2007 to provide help and rehabilitation support for British servicemen and women injured in ongoing conflicts.

Throughout the year, the brethren of our District will be asked to contribute generously, as we try to raise much-needed funs to further the work of this noble charity. Each of our Lodges has been issued with a Help For Heroes collection box, allowing members to contribute at their regular meetings. In January a collection was taken at our Installation of Officers dinner, while the collection that will be taken at our annual church service in July has also been ear-marked for this purpose.

Help For Heroes is a registered charity, relying strongly on donations and voluntary help. Part of the main aims of the group is to provide a network of Personnel Recovery Centres, located around the UK to help with the rehabilitation of injured troops. Read more about its work at helpforheroes.org.uk

THE NEWTOWNARDS DISTRICT CHOIR

The annual Newtownards District Carol Service was initiated by the District Master, the late Wor. Bro. Billy McIlroy, following the District Gospel Mission which marked the Millennium year 2000.

The then District Chaplain, Wor. Bro Roy Graham, Wor. Bro. Hugh Morrison and other members of LOL 1054 arranged the first carol service, with a local primary school choir providing the special items of praise. This format continued in the succeeding year.

The year after this, a school choir was not available and it was decided to form a choir from among the membership of several lodges. For many members this was their first experience of choral singing and for their special item of praise, a tuneful melody with a strong harmony was chosen, to which one of the choir members composed appropriate Christmas words.

The choir initially sang in two part harmony, but as they gained experience, this increased to a full four part harmony. Unaccompanied singing requires strong balance and blend from each part and the choir-master Wor. Bro Robert Jackson can be a hard taskmaster if he is not satisfied with the harmonies being produced.

Choir practices begin with prayer to acknowledge that we are engaged in the singing of praise to Jesus Christ, who is redeemer and lord. There is always a mixture of good humour and an endeavour to get things right.

Choir membership is open to lodge members who enjoy singing and who wish to promote the high ideals of Orangeism enshrined in The Qualifications of an Orangeman.